Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone impresses in 100m debut in Philadelphia

Philadelphia – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ventured beyond her usual 400 metres event, clocking an impressive 11.21 seconds for second place in her first professional 100m race at the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia on June 1.

The American four-gold Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, accustomed to dominating the one-lap event, found herself beaten by Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, who won in 11.11sec at Franklin Field.

“The best part was honestly putting myself in an uncomfortable position and seeing how I reacted and handled it. Being able to go in there against the best of the best and put myself in that position, I’m proud of how I handled it mentally,” said McLaughlin-Levrone.

Nugent’s victory completed a weekend double, securing the women’s short hurdles group with a perfect 24 points following her success in the 100m hurdles on May 31.

“My personality was able to be shown out there from Grand Slam,” Nugent said. “I was able to get some practice in and work on all of the things and I think I’ve done that, and it shows in both Slams.”

American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden scorched the track with a blistering 10.73sec in the 100m, cementing her victory in the short sprints group with 24 points after her 200m triumph on May 31.

She now “wholeheartedly” believes she can become the 100m world champion in Tokyo in September, adding: “I don’t know what my ceiling is or what my limits are.”

The 24-year-old from South Carolina, a bronze medallist in the 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scorched home ahead of Tamari Davis, who was second in 11.03sec.

Thelma Davies was third in 11.14sec, while Olympic 200m gold medallist Gabby Thomas – beaten by Jefferson-Wooden in the 200m on May 31 – was fourth.

Jefferson-Wooden’s time vaults her into elite company as one of the 10 fastest women over 100m in history.

“It means everything, I’ve been working so hard for this,” a delighted Jefferson-Wooden said afterwards.

“I’ve been learning so many new things about myself, the way I go about training, the way I go about being disciplined, even when I’m not feeling my best.

“It’s just all coming together.”

Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino dominated the women’s long sprints group with 24 points, having won the 200m in 22.46.

Britain’s Lina Nielsen also shone, capturing the 400m hurdles in 52.60sec, while Ethiopia Diribe Welteji secured victory in the 800m in 1min 58.94sec.

In the men’s events, American Kenny Bednarek shaved one-hundredth of a second off his personal best in the 100m, finishing in 9.86sec and taking the short sprints group, getting 24 points.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Josh Kerr beat gold medallist Cole Hocker by just seven-hundredths of a second in a thrilling 1,500m race, in 3:34.44.

American Trevor Bassitt provided late drama in the 400m hurdles, edging out Chris Robinson and Alison dos Santos to win in 45.47sec. He also won the men’s long hurdles group with 20 points.

There were also wins for Americans Trey Cunningham in the short hurdles group 100m in 10.36sec and Nico Young in the men’s 3,000m in his first Grand Slam Track appearance.

Dominican Alexander Ogando claimed the men’s 200m in 20.13sec.

The Grand Slam Track season will conclude with its fourth meeting in Los Angeles from June 27 to 29. REUTERS, AFP