Cardozo Alumna Breaks World Record At Olympics, Wins Silver

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Dalilah Muhammad broke the world record in the 400 meter hurdle Olympic event this week, but came in second place in the contest, seconds behind her teammate Sydney McLaughlin.

Muhammad crossed the finish line on Tuesday in 51.58 seconds, breaking McLaughlin’s record-setting time of 51.90 set at the Olympic trials in June. But, Muhammad won the silver medal, coming in behind McLaughlin who finished the race in 51.46 seconds — a new world record that garnered her the gold medal.

“It’s definitely iron sharpening iron,” Muhammad told Today of the rivalry between the two teammates, which both athletes have insisted is a friendly competition that causes them to push each other. “Someone put it in perspective to me that the four times that we’ve competed [against each other] we’ve got four world records,” Muhammad added.

While Muhammad didn’t defend her gold title in this event, she overcame many setbacks to get silver.

This spring, the born-and-raised Queens athlete, who attended Bayside's Cardozo High School, suffered a hamstring injury and a fight against the coronavirus.

“I had to really push through [those setbacks],” she told Today, adding that the challenges “made me work harder. In the moment it was difficult, but looking back I think it was what I needed to really step up today.”

And, this isn’t the last that we’ll see of Muhammad. She told Today that she plans to run a couple more races this year, and is looking forward to the 2022 World Championships, slated for next summer in Oregon.

"We talk so much about being at the pinnacle of your career. For me, it doesn't feel like the top. For me, it just feels like it's part of the journey, and the journey is not over yet," she told the New York Times.