McLaughlin-Levrone posts world-leading 48.74 to win 400m at US championships

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continued her push to make the 400m her own Saturday, blazing to victory at the US athletics championships in a world-leading 48.74sec.

McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning world champion and world record-holder in the 400m hurdles, has switched her focus to the flat race this season with an eye on eventually lowering the world record of 47.60sec set by Marita Koch of the former East Germany in 1985.

"The greats always push themselves, and I want to be one of them," McLaughlin-Levrone said of her decision to expand out of her comfort zone.

Her personal best time improved on the previous world-leading 48.98 set by Marileidy Paulino on May 27 and gave McLaughlin two potential spots at the World Championships in Budapest next month, with a bye into the hurdles as defending champion.

She powered away to win easily ahead of Britton Wilson, who was second in 49.79. Talitha Diggs was third in 49.93.