Olympic champion storms to a time of 52.20 at USA Champs to improve on the 52.34 run by Yuliya Pechonkina in 2003

Dalilah Muhammad stormed into the history books on Sunday as she clocked an incredible time of 52.20 to break the world 400m hurdles record at the USA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

Running in lane four on a wet track, and after starting with the slowest reaction time (0.287), the Olympic champion powered away and had a clear lead off the final bend as world under-20 record-holder Sydney McLaughlin, Olympic bronze medallist Ashley Spencer and 2015 world silver medallist Shamier Little battled behind her.

But Muhammad did not falter and went on to record a mark which improves by 0.14 the previous record run by Yuliya Pechonkina in 2003.

WORLD RECORD!
Dalilah Muhammad wins the @usatf Championships 400m hurdles in 52.20! ? Improving on the 52.34 run by Yuliya Pechonkina in 2003! Sydney McLaughlin second in 52.88 #ToyotaUSATFOutdoor pic.twitter.com/uib6XQxjWl

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) July 29, 2019

McLaughlin came through to secure second in 52.88, while Spencer was third in a PB-equalling 53.11 and Little fourth in 53.91.

Before this year, Muhammad’s PB for the 400m flat had been 52.63 but she proved her fine form with a time of 50.60 in Poland in June and her new hurdles time – which moves her up from sixth with 52.64 on the world all-time list – is faster than many 400m runners can manage, without 10 hurdles on the track.

“I wanted it so bad,” Muhammad told NBC after the race. “I knew I had to go out there and prove myself.”

Dalilah Muhammad breaks the 400m hurdles world record. pic.twitter.com/vldGRMkVAY

— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) July 29, 2019

The final day of USA Championships action also saw Donavan Brazier win the men’s 800m title in 1:45.62 from Clayton Murphy’s 1:46.01, while defending world champion Emma Coburn claimed her eighth US steeplechase title, clocking 9:25.63 ahead of Courtney Frerichs with 9:26.61.

World indoor champion Sandi Morris won the pole vault with a season’s best clearance of 4.85m as Katie Nageotte was second with 4.80m and 2012 Olympic champion Jenn Suhr third with 4.70m.

Lopez Lomong completed a 5000m and 10,000m double, running 13:25.53 ahead of Paul Chelimo’s 13:25.80 to win the men’s 5000m after his 10,000m victory on Friday, while Shelby Houlihan also secured two titles as she won the women’s 5000m in 15:15.50 to add to her 1500m title from Saturday.

World medallist Ajeé Wilson took the 800m title in 1:57.72, while Daniel Roberts won the 110m hurdles in 13.23 ahead of Grant Holloway’s 13.36.

More to follow…

Coverage of day one and day two action can be found here, while a day three report is here and results are here.