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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 31: Sydney McLaughlin of Team United States competes in round one of the Women’s 400m hurdles heats on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan | Credit : Getty
via Getty
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 31: Sydney McLaughlin of Team United States competes in round one of the Women’s 400m hurdles heats on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan | Credit : Getty
Every competition has a champion and a number one contender. While the champion has to win every game to retain their crown, the challenger must win just one crucial game. A similar storyline will play out at a major upcoming event in Brussels. The stage is set for the reigning world and Olympic champion, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, to defend her throne against a formidable European opponent.
Femke Bol’s name has been echoing in athletics circles for a long time now. The 23-year-old hurdles sensation is on a mammoth winning run. She is considered the second favorite for women’s 400-meter hurdles after Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. However, she will look forward to seizing the number one spot when both stars face off against each other.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone faces her toughest rival
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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will face Femke Bol in Brussels’ upcoming Diamond League meet. Both athletes dominate the domain of athletics and are revered as the fastest women of all time. Femke Bol has especially shown tremendous grit and speed in recent competitions. Bol has delivered exceptionally in the Diamond League circuit and has already secured a qualification berth. She is currently on an extended winning streak of 18 competitions and also established a new Diamond League record in July 2023.
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m Hurdles – Final – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 4, 2021. Gold medallist Sydney McLaughlin of the United States and bronze medallist Femke Bol of the Netherlands in action in the final REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Racing at the London Diamond League, Bol established a new record. She completed the 400 meters women’s hurdles in just 51.45 seconds. With her run, she set a new area record, a meeting record, and a European record as well. Bol’s success is not limited to Europe. The Dutch hurdler has won a silver medal at the world championships and a bronze in Tokyo. This time, however, her eyes are set on the gold medal on both the Olympics and the world stage. While Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is the reigning champion, most of her efforts were channeled toward flats this season.
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Coming back to familiar territory
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has achieved remarkable feats. At only 24 years old, she has already claimed the position of reigning gold medalist on both the global and Olympic stages. She additionally holds both the world and Olympic records for the women’s 400-meter hurdles. Interestingly, McLaughlin-Levrone had previously held the world record as well, and she surpassed her own achievement. Initially setting the record in June 2021, she was the first woman to breach the 52-second barrier in the 400-meter hurdles. Yet, she further pushed her own limits and broke through the 51-second threshold in 2022. The fresh world record now stands at 50.68 seconds.
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This season, however, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set out on a new ambition and focused on flats. The champion blood inside her propelled her to great heights, even in the flat category. She won the US flat 400 meters title and almost broke the American record. However, the champion is now making a return to her original yard. The whole world is on the edge of its seats and awaits the ultimate showdown between Bol and Levrone. The event is scheduled for 9th September in Brussels. While Bol will seek to dethrone Levrone from her numero uno position, Levrone will seek to destroy the only plus Bol has over her and end her streak of 18 victories.
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