“Dalilah, you truly did just change the game for all of us.” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s voice trembled ever so slightly, filled with sincerity and awe. “Seeing you break that world record after so long of it being there just inspired all of us.” She spoke those words in front of cameras and mics before taking the stage in the Jamaican chapter of Grand Slam Track. It wasn’t for the headlines, though—it was heart speaking to heart, one great admiring another. After all, Dalilah once again proved why she’s the comeback queen. 

No matter what the stats say, Sydney sees more than numbers when she looks at Dalilah Muhammad. Yes, Dalilah may not have beaten Sydney in the 400m hurdles since the 2019 USA Championships and is also 6-8 in head-to-head against Sydney, but Dalilah’s legacy is beyond these stats that can not be measured. And who better than Sydney to know this all?

Despite being direct rivals, the two have consistently brought out the best in one another. “Really it is two people pushing each other to be the best they can be. In the same way that I wouldn’t have a 52.2 without her, she wouldn’t have a 52.16 without me,” McLaughlin-Levrone admitted in 2021. Considering their legacy, a few bumps in the road don’t even come close to defining their journey, and the 35-year-old has just made that loud and clear—never write her off.

What makes Dalilah so special isn’t just the medals, the world titles, or even that unforgettable world record run in Doha—it’s her unwavering spirit. That fire. That hunger. That refusal to back down, even after 12 grueling years on the professional circuit. At 35, with the end of her career on the horizon, Dalilah reminded the world exactly who she is. Evidence? On April 12 at the 2025 Botswana Golden Grand Prix, Dalilah Muhammad flew over every hurdle like it was the first race of her life, not one of her last.

She crossed the finish line in 53.81 seconds—a time that now stands as the fifth-fastest April performance in women’s 400m hurdles history. But not the hurdles; Dalilah Muhammad defeated several elements that day. On that day, the New York native beat back the years. She beat back the noise. She beat back the younger challengers, like Cassandra Tate and Zene Geldenhuys, who trailed behind her in Gaborone’s National Stadium.

On that warm Saturday, Dalilah didn’t just win a race—she showed everyone that greatness isn’t always loud, and it’s certainly not fleeting. Sometimes, it shows up quietly, persistently, year after year, with grace and grit. And if this truly is her final season, Dalilah is going out on her terms—head held high, spikes laced tight, still fighting for every inch of track. However, the same Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone had put hurdles in her route this month. But if you’ve been following Dalilah for a long time, you already know the story. 

Dalilah Muhammad missed the win but didn’t lose hope 

The Grand Slam Track opener wasn’t just another meet—it was Dalilah Muhammad’s return to the big stage. Under the Caribbean sun, in a stadium pulsing with rhythm and rivalry, the 35-year-old former Olympic champion stepped onto the track for her first outdoor contest of the season. And as always, she was ready for a fight. Meanwhile, Dalilah doubled up in Jamaica, signing up for both the women’s 400m hurdles—her signature event—and the flat 400m.

It was a bold move, a veteran’s challenge to the clock and herself. But waiting in both lanes was a familiar face: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. A generational talent, a friendly nemesis, and the athlete who has gradually taken the torch Dalilah once carried. In the hurdles, Dalilah delivered a convincing performance, clocking 54.69 seconds to secure second place behind Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

And in the flat 400m, she powered through to a respectable third-place finish in 52.21 seconds. Grit, poise, execution—they were all there. But the headlines? They belonged to someone else this time. And with those results came the reality: Dalilah walked away without the six-figure payday offered to event winners in this revolutionary new league. But truthfully, that might not matter to her. Why so? 

Because for Dalilah Muhammad, the chase isn’t about the purse—it’s about the passion. It’s about testing limits, pushing through pain, and continuing to show up when most have already stepped away. It’s about the love of the sport and the pride of knowing she can still line up next to the world’s best and make them earn it. Well, let’s just see what happens.