Tokyo, Japan. – Dominican sprint star Marileidy Paulino delivered another historic performance in the women’s 400 meters at the World Championships in Tokyo. Although she was unable to defend her crown, the Olympic champion broke the 48-second barrier for the first time in her career, clocking 47.98 seconds, a new national record for the Dominican Republic.
Her performance, though not enough to claim gold, reaffirmed her status among the world’s elite and gave her renewed confidence to pursue the long-standing world record.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Takes Gold
Paulino entered the final as the favorite, following her Olympic triumph in Paris and her world title in Budapest 2023. However, American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stole the spotlight, taking gold with a blazing 47.78 seconds, the fastest time ever run at a World Championship.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s performance was just 18 hundredths of a second shy of Marita Koch’s 1985 world record of 47.60, set in Canberra. Bahraini runner Salwa Eid Naser completed the podium alongside McLaughlin-Levrone and Paulino.
Paulino: “Now I believe the world record is within reach”
Reflecting on her race, Paulino acknowledged the challenges of competing from lane nine:
“Running in lane nine without visual references wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of my performance. Breaking 48 seconds is a big step, and now I truly believe I can challenge the world record. Doing it here in Tokyo, the same place where I celebrated my first international breakthrough, makes it even more special,” she said after the race.
Paulino also highlighted the honor of sharing the podium with McLaughlin-Levrone and Naser, noting that competing against such high-level rivals motivates her to push further.
“I’ve been consistent for five years, and that’s a victory in itself. It’s proof that my hard work and discipline are paying off,” added the Dominican athlete.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond her achievements on the track, Paulino continues to inspire Dominican youth. Last year, she published her autobiography, sharing her journey with the goal of encouraging young athletes and showing the transformative power of sports in society.
Dominican Star Aims for History
By breaking the 48-second barrier, Marileidy Paulino not only solidified her place among the all-time greats of the 400 meters, but also set the stage for a potential world-record chase. With her eyes firmly on making history, the Dominican champion remains one of the most powerful symbols of athletic excellence and national pride for the Dominican Republic.
