The blue tracks of Icahn Stadium witnessed history unfold on September 26. Yes, we are talking about the inaugural chapter of Athlos NYC, the first women-only track meet in the sport’s history. But what also added to the infectious energy was the fastest 400-meter woman in the world in 39 years, Marileidy Paulino, emerging undefeated once again.

While she made headlines recently for her Brussels Diamond League win and the possibility that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone would have defeated her, this time, her win seals her place as the undisputed queen in the distance. As the 400m sprinters lined along the start point, one question prevailed: “Will we see a sub 500m timing today?”

Well, nearly a minute later, the answer was a loud and clear yes. Once again, Marileidy Paulino graced the top spot, bagging the Athlos 400m event with her 49.60 timing. With this, she not only prevailed over America’s favorite, Alexis Holmes, but also proved why she is the reigning Olympic champion, with 9 open 400m races this season and wins in all of them.

The Dominican Republic star goes home with not just the Tiffany & Co. crown but also $60,000. And well, her win also silences the doubts that sprung up recently. Despite having won the 2024 Brussels Diamond League finals fair and square, her 49.45-second win came under the fan radar.

Well, because it was 0.34 seconds slower than Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, whose timing from the Invitational 400m run the same night was way faster. Thus, fans continued to predict that had SML run against her, she would have been dethroned. While McLaughlin Levrone did make a rare choice as the pro hurdler decided to run two flat races (200m and 400m), she almost left the door open that the frequency of these could rise next season.

“I’m still learning it [400m]. It’s very different from the hurdles. Every race is just trying to figure it out and get better. I’ll have to go back and watch my race to figure out what I did, right and wrong.” Well, for SML to take an invitational sprint so seriously hints that she may wish to expand her horizons soon. Until then, it is Marileidy Paulino who is dominant in 400m.

Marileidy Paulino’s 400m dominance over Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Quite recently, at the Paris Olympics, Marileidy Paulino recorded her personal best 400m time at 48.17 seconds. Besides, she is the 2024 Diamond League champion in the event, with wins not only in Brussels but also in Silesia, Lausanne, and even Paris and Oslo. Notably, out of 9 of her 400 m runs this season, she’s won all 9 and has record sub-50 timings in 8. Thus, the 400m World Champion holder’s results are not just top-notch but also consistent.

On the other hand, Sydney McLaughlin Levrone has run just 2 flat 400m races this season. The first one was at the USATF NYC Grand Prix, where she bagged the first spot in 48.75 seconds. And the second one was Brussels. But the lowest she has ever dipped to in a 400m is 48.74 seconds, back in 2023. If this time were to be compared with Paulino’s record this season, there are only two instances when she’s gone lower than 48.74. Once at the Olympics, and the other time in Silesia.

Speaking of their head-on competition, Paulino and Sydney McLaughlin-Lervone have only raced a 400m once. And that was back in 2023, at the Paris stop of the Diamond League. While both of them had recorded sub-50 timings, Marileidy Paulino was a few hundredth seconds quicker, with her 49.12 outpacing Sydney McLaughlin Levrone’s 49.71. Therefore, it is tough to predict the results if these two would go head to head. But for now, it’s Paulino who has ended her season on a definite high! What do you think about this? Let us know below!