Here is what you need to know why Sydney McLaughlin is considered the best hurdler.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is an American hurdler and sprinter who competes in the 400 meters hurdles.
Born in New Jersey, McLaughlin grew up with parents from an athletic background. Her father reached the semis in the 1984 Olympic trials and her mother ran in high school. She is one of the most popular athletes on the planet, with over 2 million million followers on Instagram.
The 25-year-old has shot to prominence and attracted global attention in the last two Olympics. Pulse Sports takes a look at what makes Sydney McLaughlin the best hurdler in the world.
McLaughlin-Levrone: 5 reasons why she is considered the best hurdler
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Unprecedented world records:
McLaughlin-Levrone holds the current world record in the 400m hurdles, having broken it multiple times, including being the first woman to break the 51-second barrier in the event. She set a world record time of 50.37 seconds at the 2024 Olympics, breaking her own old world record of 50.65 seconds.
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She is the first track athlete to break four world records in the same event; setting four world records during a 13 month period. She won the silver medal at the 2019 World Championships. At all four competitions, she also took gold as part of a women’s 4×400 m relay team.
Dominant performances
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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is among the star athletes signed up for Grand Slam Track
She consistently delivers top finishes in major competitions like the Olympics and World Championships, often winning with a significant lead over her competitors. McLaughlin-Levrone hasn’t lost a 400m hurdles race since the World Championships in 2019.
What is amazing is how McLaughlin-Levrone, still just 25, continues to orbit above her peers – and history. Not only was her 50.37 time in the final a new world record (the sixth time she’s broken it), but her back-to-back gold after Tokyo 2020 in 2021 also makes her the first woman to successfully defend her Olympic title in the race.
Technical prowess
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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Her technique over hurdles is considered exceptional, allowing her to maintain high speed while clearing the obstacles with minimal disruption to her stride. McLaughlin-Levrone knows how to start and finish her races well and has exceptional race management skill.
Mental toughness
McLaughlin missed out on selection for the 2017 World Championships. Two years later, she became the second fastest woman to have run the 400m hurdles in history. The ability to remain mentally focused is one of her greatest assets – especially when faced with disappointment.
McLaughlin-Levrone demonstrates a strong mental game, pushing herself to new limits and consistently performing under pressure.
“I’m the kind of competitor who can’t ignore a problem. I have a hard time focusing on the positives when there’s a glaring weakness,” Pulse Sports reported in a past interview.
Continuous improvement
She has consistently shown the ability to improve her times and further refine her technique throughout her career, setting a high standard for other athletes.
Sydney McLaughlin is approaching her prime and such performances will only boost her chances of winning three consecutive Olympic 400mH titles.
