Merritt, who won three gold medals and eight world titles in the 400 meter event, has explained what makes Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone indomitable following her dominance in Tokyo.
American legend LaShawn Merrit believes Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s switch from the hurdles to the flat 400m has been nothing short of spectacular.
At the recently concluded 2025 Tokyo World Championships,, she stormed to gold with 47.78 — the fastest time ever by an American and the second-quickest in history. The performance also erased a 42-year-old championship record.
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It was impressive for McLaughlin-Levrone, who chose to forgo the 400 meter hurdles event this year as she sought to test her limits in a different event.
But it wasn’t just a solo showcase. Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino forced McLaughlin-Levrone to dig deep, and in the process the two made history: the first women ever to dip under 48 seconds in the same race.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s victory leaves her just 0.18 shy of Marita Koch’s long-standing world record from 1985, raising the question of not if she breaks it, but when.
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Merritt: “Sydney’s Mental Game Sets Her Apart”
Reflecting on the race on Ready Set Go, former Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt praised the 26-year-old’s unique blend of physical talent and mental fortitude, considering she won in an event she does not even primarily focus on.
“Man, Sydney’s one of a kind,” Merritt said. “She didn’t just break that record — she shattered it. To see her and Paulino both go under 48, that’s something track and field hasn’t seen in nearly 40 years.”
Merritt, who knows the demands of the 400m, stressed that McLaughlin-Levrone’s growth has been as much mental as physical.
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“I’ve watched her mature, and she can handle the pressure,” he explained. “She’s got an amazing coach in Bobby Kersee, and he pushes her in ways that build discipline and belief.
“That 400 isn’t just about speed — it’s a race of strategy. To spread your energy across the lap like she did, and to stay locked in all the way, takes unbelievable focus. That’s why she’s so special.”
For Merritt, the Tokyo final was confirmation that McLaughlin-Levrone is redefining what is possible in the women’s 400m — whether on the flat or back over the hurdles where she is already a two-time Olympic champion.