Hurdles queen McLaughlin-Levrone wins flat 400 at U.S. trials
FILE PHOTO: Athletics - Diamond League - Brussels - King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - September 13, 2024 Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the U.S. ahead of the women's 400m invitational REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo
EUGENE, Oregon - Hurdles queen Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone stormed to victory in the 400 metres at the U.S. track and field trials on Saturday to book her spot at the World Athletics Championships, narrowly missing the American record in her weaker event.
The twice-Olympic champion, who elected to run the flat 400 rather than her signature 400m hurdles in a move that raised eyebrows, took the lead after the first 100m and never looked back to cross in a season's best 48.90 seconds, two tenths off the American record set by Sanya Richards-Ross in 2006.
"It just takes reps," McLaughlin-Levrone told reporters. "Everyone talks about the American record, of course, but that's going to come when it's going to come. I think this year and this event has taught me patience. I've learned a lot about myself and I've learned a lot about the 400."
Isabella Whittaker ran 49.59 for second, and Aaliyah Butler was third (49.91).
The 25-year-old McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record holder in the 400m hurdles, secured a spot in the 400m at the World Athletics Championships in September being hosted in Tokyo.
Jacory Patterson, who began the season without a sponsor and working for UPS, led from the gun to win the men's 400m in 44.16 and punch his ticket to the worlds, while Chris Bailey ran 44.43 for second and Khaleb McRae crossed third in 44.45.
"I'm waiting for somebody to pinch me," Patterson said. "It feels like a dream, hard to put into words."
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw names 6 law firms taken to task over involvement in property deals
Singapore Police reopen access to all areas in Marina Bay after crowd congestion eases at NDP Preview area
Singapore Opening of Woodlands Health has eased load on KTPH, sets standard for future hospitals: Ong Ye Kung
Asia KTM plans new passenger rail service in Johor Bahru to manage higher footfall expected from RTS
Singapore HSA investigating teen allegedly vaping on MRT train
Asia 4 workers dead after falling into manhole in Japan
Singapore New vehicular bridge connecting Punggol Central and Seletar Link to open on Aug 3
Singapore New S'pore jobs portal launched for North West District residents looking for work near home
Patterson's victory came amid a breakout season for the 25-year-old who spent the last year working overnight shifts for UPS, and training during the day. He won the Grand Slam meet in May in Miami in a speedy 43.98, which opened doors to other lucrative meets and led to a sponsorship deal with Nike.
"The work is still going to be put in, I'm not going to get comfortable or complacent, the goal remains the same, and that's to go to the worlds and medal," he said.
Paris Olympic champion Masai Russell pulled away from the field to win the women's 100m hurdles in 12.22, with Grace Stark second in 12.31 and Alaysha Johnson third (12.36).
Nikki Hiltz stormed past Sinclaire Johnson with 80 metres to go to win the women's 1,500m in 4:03.15, while Johnson crossed in 4:03.77 for second.
Jonah Koech outsprinted Ethan Strand and Cole Hocker to win the men's 1,500 in 3:30.17. Strand (3:30:25) and Hocker (3:30.37) took second and third respectively.
Reggie Jagers threw 66.85m to win the men's discus, while Chase Jackson won the women's shot put with a throw of 20.84m and Jasmine Moore leapt 14.68m to win the women's triple jump. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
8 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Bednarek labels Lyles 'unsportsmanlike' after post-200m scuffle
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Aug 3, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Noah Lyles (left) defeats Kenny Bednarek to win the 200m, 19.63 to 19.67, during the USATF Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images/File Photo American sprinter Kenny Bednarek labelled Noah Lyles "unsportsmanlike" after their heated 200 metres showdown at the USA Track & Field Championships almost led to blows on Sunday. Lyles, the three-times world champion in the event, stormed past Bednarek to win in a world leading 19.63 seconds, turning his head to stare down Bednarek as they crossed the line. Bednarek shoved Lyles in the back before the two exchanged what looked like heated words. "Noah's going to be Noah. If he wants to stare me down, that's fine," Bednarek told reporters. "The summary is, don't do that to me. I don't do any of that stuff. It's not good character right there. That's pretty much it. At the end of the day, he won the race. I've got to give him props. He was the better man today. "What he said didn't matter, it's just what he did," Bednarek added. "Unsportsmanlike (expletive), and I don't deal with that. It's a respect factor. He's fresh. Last time we lined it up, I beat him, that's all I can say. Next time we line up, I'm going to win. That's all that matters." Sunday's final set the stage for what is sure to be a fiery rematch when the two race again at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Both have also qualified in the 100m, with Lyles also the reigning world champion in that event. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore launches review of economic strategy to stay ahead of global shifts Singapore A look at the five committees reviewing Singapore's economic strategy Business More support for sectors and workers vulnerable to tech disruptions, global competition Business Singapore to tap advanced manufacturing, AI under strategic review Singapore Strong S'pore-Australia ties underpinned by bonds that are continually renewed: President Tharman Singapore All recruits at BMTC will be trained to fly drones and counter them: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Ong Beng Seng to be sentenced on Aug 15, prosecution does not object to fine due to his poor health Singapore Pritam Singh had hoped WP would 'tip one or two more constituencies' at GE2025 After Bednarek's shove, Lyles turned around and raised his arms to his U.S. rival and bounced up and down like a fighter. Their anger spilled into their trackside interview with NBC. "I tell ya, if you've got a problem, I expect a call," Bednarek said. Lyles replied: "You know what, you're right. You´re right. Let´s talk after this." When asked later about the scuffle, Lyles said: "On coach's orders, no comment." REUTERS
Straits Times
8 minutes ago
- Straits Times
India's Gill celebrates first series as captain with dramatic win
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fifth Test - England v India - Kia Oval, London, Britain - August 4, 2025 India's Shubman Gill poses after winning the match to draw the test series Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs LONDON - Shubman Gill celebrated his first series as India captain by leading his team to a dramatic victory in the fifth test against England at The Oval on Monday to share a series 2-2 in which the result has been in doubt until the final day of each match. "There are moments like this when you feel the journey is worth it," Gill said at the post-match press conference. "There have been a lot of highs and lows. That's kind of expected, especially with sport. Obviously, every time you go in to bat you want to score a century but that's not how the game of life works. "You should be able to navigate through the high and lows of life. I wanted to stay balanced. I'm still learning but so far so good." Gill, 25, was appointed captain in May following the retirement of two great Indian batsmen and leaders in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also quit test cricket while the world's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was rested for two tests in this series, including the Oval match. Gill has responded magnificently with the bat, scoring four centuries and finishing with an average of 75.40 in his first seven weeks as captain, the second-highest aggregate as a skipper behind Australia's Don Bradman. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore launches review of economic strategy to stay ahead of global shifts Singapore A look at the five committees reviewing Singapore's economic strategy Business More support for sectors and workers vulnerable to tech disruptions, global competition Business Singapore to tap advanced manufacturing, AI under strategic review Singapore Strong S'pore-Australia ties underpinned by bonds that are continually renewed: President Tharman Singapore All recruits at BMTC will be trained to fly drones and counter them: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Ong Beng Seng to be sentenced on Aug 15, prosecution does not object to fine due to his poor health Singapore Pritam Singh had hoped WP would 'tip one or two more constituencies' at GE2025 The final test ended when Gill's outstanding pace bowler Mohammad Siraj, who bowled with undiminished vigour throughout the match, yorked Gus Atkinson to give his team victory by six runs. "What happened this morning summarised what this team is all about," Gill said. "This team believes if there is some kind of opening we can get through that opening." He noted that the dismissals of Yorkshire pair Harry Brook and then Joe Root on Sunday evening had been that opening. "Seventy runs on day four, even 50 runs they would be under pressure," Gill said. Gill added that his four hundreds in the series had carried a different significance. "Each of them has a story and each of them means a lot to me," he said. Siraj who finished with five for 104, said his plan had been to hit a consistent length and build. 'Everything from there was a bonus,' he added. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Stokes remains upbeat despite England's painful loss to India
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fifth Test - England v India - Kia Oval, London, Britain - August 4, 2025 England's Ben Stokes before the start of play Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs LONDON - England captain Ben Stokes tried to focus on the positives after his team's agonising six-run loss to India in their riveting final test at The Oval on Monday. Stokes, who did not play in the match due to injury, watched on as the hosts collapsed from 301-3 to 367 all out to give India a share of the series. "Credit both teams. The amount of effort from both teams to end up here 2-2 is incredible," he told reporters. "The heart and passion and everything that was shown, especially in our second bowling innings, I thought was outstanding." Stokes, who scored a century and completed a five-wicket haul in the drawn fourth test against India, said England had been well on top at various times in the final game under the captaincy of Ollie Pope. "We got ourselves into some good positions throughout the test match, not just the last innings," he said. "To come within seven runs of victory, it's tough to look back and feel anything but disappointment." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore launches review of economic strategy to stay ahead of global shifts Singapore A look at the five committees reviewing Singapore's economic strategy Business More support for sectors and workers vulnerable to tech disruptions, global competition Business Singapore to tap advanced manufacturing and AI under strategic review Singapore Ong Beng Seng to be sentenced on Aug 15, prosecution does not object to fine due to his poor health Singapore All recruits at BMTC will be trained to fly drones and counter them: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Pritam Singh had hoped WP would 'tip one or two more constituencies' at GE2025 Singapore SIA flight bound for Seoul returns to Singapore due to technical issues Stokes felt the loss of Chris Woakes to a shoulder injury on the first day had been a crucial factor. The all-rounder did come out to bat with a sling on to try to get England over the line but his absence along with that of Stokes and Jofra Archer left England with an inexperienced pace attack. "Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for," added Stokes. "But you can look back on a test match that goes five days and pick out loads of moments as to why (you lost). For us, to come out here to try and chase that total down in the way that we did was outstanding." Stokes was not critical of the unorthodox or rash shots that caused the dismissals of several England batsmen as the tension mounted around the ground. Harry Brook made a brilliant 111 before playing a stroke so reckless his bat flew out of his hand, Jacob Bethell was bowled after charging down the pitch and Jamie Smith played three loose shots in a row at Mohammed Siraj, the last one nicking his bat. "That never-say-die, never-back-down attitude we've installed in the group nearly paid off for us," Stokes said. "We couldn't quite get over the line." REUTERS
