Three the hard way in women’s 400m at World Champs

With just 11 days to go before the start of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on September 13, fans will be hoping that the country can equal or better its medal haul in Budapest two years ago, where the national athletes collected 12 medals – three gold, five silver and four bronze.

Starting today, The Gleaner begins its preview of selected individual events and the likely medallists. The first spotlight is on the women’s 400 metres. Action in the event begins on September 14 with the preliminary round, semi-finals two days later, and the final on September 18.

Jamaica’s women are still searching for their first 400m gold at the championships, which started in Helsinki in 1983. They have claimed 10 medals in the event – four silver and six bronze. Shericka Jackson’s bronze at the 2019 Doha championships was the last medal for the country in this event.

In Tokyo, Jamaica will be represented by Nickisha Pryce, Dejanea Oakley and Stacey-Ann Williams. Pryce and Williams will be hoping to improve on last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, where both failed to get past the semi-finals. Pryce was fourth in her heat, while Williams finished seventh. Oakley, the NCAA Division 1 runner-up, will be making her debut at the senior level.

It will be another tough challenge for the Jamaicans. Pryce, with a season’s best 49.63 seconds, is the country’s top-ranked athlete. Oakley is next best at 49.65, while Williams has managed 50.06. Pryce looks the best hope for a medal and should at least reach the final. Both Williams and Oakley have struggled since the National Championships, especially Oakley, who failed to reach the final at the NACAC Championships in The Bahamas, clocking a disappointing 52.10.

The battle for medals is shaping up as a three-way clash among Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, and America’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

Naser, the 2019 world champion, is chasing a second title. After serving a two-year suspension for a whereabouts violation, she won silver in the Paris Olympics and has returned in stunning form this season, clocking the two fastest times in the event – 48.67 and 48.70. She recently defeated Paulino at the Zurich Diamond League final, her second victory over the Dominican this year.

Paulino, the 2023 world champion, has also been brilliant, with a best of 48.81 at the Paris Diamond League. She will be aiming to avenge her defeat to Naser in Zurich and successfully defend her title.

Then there is McLaughlin-Levrone. The American, who has dominated the 400m hurdles, has chosen to contest the flat 400m instead of her signature event. At the US Championships, she destroyed the field in 48.90 seconds, easing down in the final 50 metres – a performance that underlined her class.

Naser, known for her aggressive starts, will face more pressure this time with McLaughlin-Levrone beside her. That early battle could work to Paulino’s advantage, as she usually finishes very strongly.

With Paulino and Naser competing heavily on the European circuit, fatigue may also play a role. McLaughlin-Levrone, on the other hand, is fresh and rested since the US Nationals and has the edge to take the gold in Tokyo.

Top Three

1. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA)

2. Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic)

3. Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain)