Sydney McLaughlin Smashes the 400m Hurdles World Record Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2021

20-year-old runner, Sydney McLaughlin has taken the world record from fellow American and World Champion, Dalilah Muhammad at the 2021 US Olympics track and field trials. McLaughlin now placed herself in the pole position to snatch the gold medal from defending champion Dalilah at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

Sydney McLaughlin wins women’s 400m hurdles. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dalilah had set the previous record of 52.16 seconds at the 2019 World Championships when she clinched the gold ahead of McLaughlin who came second. But as McLaughlin stepped out of her teenage years, she has kept improving and now smashed the record world record with a timing of 51.90 seconds. Dalilah came second in the trials with a timing of 52.42 seconds.

“I will cherish this for the rest of my life. There’s no animosity or hard feelings. We have to have each other to have these world records,” McLaughlin on beating Dalilah’s record.

Dalilah Muhammad reacts to Sydney McLaughlin beating her record ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2021

Over the years, McLaughlin has emerged as Dalilah’s biggest rival. And there is a general rivalry between the two. Dalilah is pumped up for the challenge and is confident of taking the record back at the Tokyo Olympics.

“Makes it exciting for fans, but nerve-racking for me. I think there’s more in store for me, and Tokyo will be good for me,” Dalilah reacted to McLaughlin’s record.

Dalilah Muhammad at the US Olympic trials. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

McLaughlin made her Olympic debut at the age of 17 at Rio Olympics 2016. That year she was ousted in the semifinal, where Dalilah went on to capture her first Olympic gold medal. Later, McLaughlin announced herself on the big stage after she competed in the 2019 World Championships.

At the 2019 World Championships, McLaughlin and Dalilah were over a second ahead of the third-place finisher. They breached the 52-second mark with Dalilah taking the gold medal with world record time and McLaughlin coming in second.

Dalilah will not be a pushover for McLaughlin at the upcoming Olympics. The reigning Olympic champion had to deal with the COVID-19 virus and a hamstring injury earlier in the year. With time on her hand, she could get back to her speed and expect the two Americans to fight it out for the gold in Tokyo.

Read more: Gabrielle Thomas Qualifies for Tokyo Olympics 2021 200m While Studying for Her Masters Degree

The post Sydney McLaughlin Smashes the 400m Hurdles World Record Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2021 appeared first on EssentiallySports.