‘Sacred’ McCloflin sets a world record and takes the 400m women’s hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics

World records were created in both men’s and women’s 400m hurdles at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In the women’s 400m hurdles final held at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium on the 4th, Sydney McCloplin (22, USA) recorded 51.46 in the women’s 400m hurdles final, and Dalilla Muhammad (31, 51.58), a gold medalist and senior national at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. ) and stood at the top of the podium.

51.46 is a world record. However, the previous record was also held by McCloplin. On June 28, he set a world record of 51.90 seconds and won the U.S. national team selection. Muhammad, who finished second in 52.42 at the time, was also pushed back by his juniors on the Olympic stage.

This match drew the attention of the world. McCloplin and Muhammad were called ‘rivals of the century’, and they fought twice. The first match was the final of the Doha World Athletics Championships in October 2019. Here, Muhammad stood at the top of the world record at 52.16 seconds. McCloplin finished second with a time of 52.23. But this year, things have changed. After McCloplin broke the 52nd invitation barrier for the first time in the national team selection, he also showed strength in the Olympics. “I just focused on my race,” McCloplin said after the race. I believed in my training and believed in myself. I was really happy to be able to pour everything out.” Even at the moment when a generational change was confirmed, Muhammad was resolute. He gave a quiet impression to the fans who watched the ‘confrontation of the century’ with a resolute appearance that shouted loudly, hugged a happy junior, and gave congratulations with a bright smile. A world record was also set in the men’s 400m hurdles final the day before (3rd). Krsten Barhlm (25, Norway) scored the first goal in 45.94 seconds. He took the gold medal by 0.76 seconds ahead of his previous world record (46.70).

André de Grasse (27, Canada) sprinted in gold in the men’s 200m track that day. Grasse, who had won a bronze medal in the 100m, climbed to the top with a record of 19.62 seconds. The start reaction speed was particularly impressive. Running just 0.135 seconds after the gunshot went off, Grasse accelerated and outrun the competition. Kenneth Bednarek (23, USA) took second place in 19.68, and Noah Riles (24, USA), the winner of the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, took 19.74 in third place with a record of 19.74. Irion Knighton (17, USA), who was most anticipated with ‘Next Generation Usain Bolt’, was only 4th in 19.93 with a time of 19.93, probably due to the burden of the first Olympics.

By Nam Jang-hyeon, staff reporter yoshike3@donga.com