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Athletics world erupts over 'insane' moment: 'Not from this planet'

Sydney McLaughlin, pictured here breaking her own world record in the 400m hurdles.
Sydney McLaughlin broke her own world record in the 400m hurdles. Image: NBC/Getty

Sydney McLaughlin has stunned the athletics world after breaking her own world record in the 400m hurdles at the US track and field championships.

The American star punched her ticket to the World Championships on Saturday with a new world record time of 51.41sec in her pet event.

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McLaughlin shaved five-hundredths of a second off her own world record of 51.46, which set in winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics last August.

Her performance at Eugene's Hayward Field was so dominant that runner-up Britton Wilson crossed the line more than a second back in 53.08sec.

“I mean it's Track Town USA, what do you expect?" she said afterwards.

“Every time I come here I can just feel something amazing is going to happen.”

Asked how she was going to celebrated after the race, McLaughlin joked: “Eating some real food besides vegetables. Like a cheeseburger or something, some pancakes.”

Shamier Little was third in 53.92. The trio will represent the United States on the same Hayward Field track in July - when reigning World Champion Dalilah Muhammad also aims to defend her title.

Sydney McLaughlin, pictured here celebrating her world record time in the 400m hurdles.
Sydney McLaughlin celebrates her world record time in the 400m hurdles. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Muhammad sat out the race on Saturday because of a slight injury, but has already qualified for the world championships as the defending champion in the event.

The top three finishers in each event at the US championships will advance to the world outdoor championships.

It is the first time that track and field's biggest event outside of the Olympics will be held on American soil.

McLaughlin showed she didn't need her great rival to push her to new heights in this championship season.

Athletics fans and commentators were left in awe of the 22-year-old champ.

Allyson Felix bids farewell to US championships

Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track history, finished sixth in the 400m in what was her final national championship race.

Felix, who announced in April that this will be her final season, is enjoying the final days of her illustrious career - which includes 11 Olympic medals.

She plans to run her final official race in her native Los Angeles in August. Despite her finish, Felix is expected to make the mixed relay team for the worlds.

NCAA champion Talitha Diggs won the 400m in 50.22 seconds.

"It was a great field. So just wanted to make sure to maintain my form, engage my core and just push,” Diggs said.

Allyson Felix, pictured here acknowledging the crowd at the US national championships.
Allyson Felix acknowledges the crowd at the US national championships. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Diggs overhauled early pace-setter Lynna Irby and Kendall Ellis in the final 20m, with Ellis taking second in 50.35 and Irby third in 50.67.

Michael Norman, seeking World Championships gold to help exorcise the memory of a disappointing fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, delivered an emphatic victory in the men's 400m with a world-leading time of 43.56sec.

NCAA collegiate title holder Champion Allison broke 44 seconds for the first time, taking second in 43.70, with Randolph Ross third in 44.17.

World record-holder Keni Harrison won the 100m hurdles in another world-leading time of 12.34sec. Alaysha Johnson was second in 12.35 and Alia Armstrong was third in 12.47.

World champion Nia Ali opted out of the final but will complete the formidable US contingent in the event next month.

In other events, world 200m champion Noah Lyles clocked 19.95sec to top the first-round times, and revealed he was rebounding from a bout with Covid.

"To be honest I'm so in shape I'm not too worried about it," he said.

with agencies

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