Sports

Sydney McLaughlin Wins World Championship In 400-Meter Hurdle Race

The Union Catholic alumni and Olympic gold medalist set a new record at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon on Friday.

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Union Catholic track legend and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin blew away her competition at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon on Friday.

The 22-year-old won the world championship title for the 400-meter hurdles finals, beating out her opponents by more than a second and a half.

In the past 13 months, McLaughlin has lowered the world record four times, dropping it from 52.16 in June 2021 to 50.68 on Friday, according to Team USA.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

McLaughlin finished ahead of silver medalist Femke Bol (52.27s) and longtime rival and former record holder Dalilah Muhammad, who took home bronze in 53.13s.

The 2017 graduate of Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains previously beat out Muhammad at the Tokyo Olympics, earning her a gold a medal.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Read more: Sydney McLaughlin Wins Olympic Gold, Breaks World Record

According to Team USA, "McLaughlin’s race on Friday was even more impressive than Florence Griffith Joyner’s enduring and iconic 200-meter world record set in 1988. FloJo’s 100-meter world record from the same year still scores a hair better."

Originally from Dunellen, McLaughlin now lives in Los Angeles. She was recently featured on the cover of "The Knot" where she spilled details on her engagement to NFL player Andre Levrone Jr.

Read more: Gold Medalist Sydney McLaughlin Featured On Cover Of 'The Knot'

Check out the video of McLaughlin's record-setting race below:

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.