The transition continues brilliantly for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: the queen of the 400m hurdles won the 400m of the American selections in Eugene (Oregon) on Saturday in 48 sec 74/100e, achieving at the same time the best performance in the world of the season .
The 23-year-old athlete, reigning world and Olympic champion in the 400m hurdles, and world record holder, focused on the flat, with the aim of beating that of the German (ex-GDR) Marita Koch (47.60 in 1985).
“The greats always outdo themselves, and I want to be one of them,” McLaughlin-Levrone said.
She set off to win easily ahead of Britton Wilson, second in 49 sec 79/100th, Talitha Diggs completing the podium in 49 sec 93/100th.
His personal best came to replace the previous world best performance of the season of 48 sec 98/100e established by Marileidy Paulino on May 27 and offered McLaughlin-Levrone two places for the Budapest Worlds (August 19-27), with a automatic qualification for the hurdles as defending champion.
Will McLaughlin-Levrone still compete in the 400m and 400m hurdles in Budapest? “I have no idea,” she replied.
– Mu does not rule out doubling –
Athing Mu, the Olympic and world champion in the 800m, has also stepped out of her favored discipline and, after finishing second to Nikki Hiltz in the 1,500m, she has not ruled out lining up for both distances in the Hungarian capital.
Sha’Carri Richardson after winning the women’s 100m final at the US Trials in Eugene, Oregon on July 7, 2023 / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
“I won’t say it’s unlikely, but neither will I say there’s a guarantee that I will,” the 21-year-old said.
In a twisty race, Mu took the lead and looked like she could hold on for the win, but Hiltz managed to overtake her in the final moments to win in 4:03.10.
Mu finished second with a personal best 4:03.44 ahead of Cory McGee, third in 4:03.48.
A day after her success in the 100m, Sha’Carri Richardson dominated the 200m heats with a time of 21.61 seconds, which was not approved due to too favorable a wind.
This is the best world time achieved this year over the distance, all conditions combined, the 21.91 of Saint Lucienne Julien Alfred in April officially remaining the fastest mark.
– KC Lightfoot will not see Budapest –
In the pole vault, the fresh record holder of the United States KC Lightfoot (23), who had cleared 6.07 m in Nashville (Tennessee) last month, will not see the World Championships in Budapest. The one who had then become the fourth best pole vaulter in history only finished fourth (5.81 m) in Eugene, tied with the double world champion (2017, 2019) Sam Kendricks.
Chris Nilsen during the American Selections pole vault competition in Eugene, Oregon, July 8, 2023 / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Only the first three of each event during these US selections are qualified for the Worlds.
The competition was won by Olympic and world vice-champion Chris Nilsen at 5.91m ahead of Zach McWorther (5.86m) and Zach Bradford (5.81m).
2023-07-09 08:26:31
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