Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Women’s 400m Preview

By: Denise N. Fyffe

The countdown is on for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, and one of the most highly anticipated events is the women’s 400 meters. With reigning champions, record holders, and rising stars all preparing to face off, the stage is set for one of the most thrilling one-lap showdowns in recent history.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: Switching Lanes to the Flat 400m

American superstar Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has officially shifted her focus to the 400m flat in 2025. Known worldwide for her dominance in the 400m hurdles — where she holds multiple world records and two Olympic gold medals — Sydney is chasing a new legacy.

This season, she has already clocked 48.90 at the US Championships and 49.43 at the Prefontaine Classic, showing that her raw speed matches her technical brilliance. With her smooth stride and unmatched composure, McLaughlin-Levrone could become the first athlete in history to dominate both the hurdles and the flat 400m at the global level.

Aliyah Butler: America’s Rising Powerhouse

The US team is also fielding Aliyah Butler, who stormed to the NCAA title in Eugene with 49.26 and has since run a blazing 49.09 in Monaco. Just 19 years old, Butler’s fearless racing style and ability to handle pressure make her a legitimate medal threat.

Marileidy Paulino: The Champion to Beat

Defending champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic is determined to keep her crown. Paulino won gold in Budapest 2023 (48.76) and followed it up with Olympic gold in Paris 2024, where she set a Games record of 48.17. This year alone, she has captured three Diamond League wins and remains the woman to beat.

With her powerful finish and consistency under pressure, Paulino will line up in Tokyo as the reigning queen of the 400m.

Salwa Eid Naser: The Dangerous Challenger

From Bahrain, Salwa Eid Naser brings both speed and experience. A former world champion, Naser has returned to top form, running 48.70 in Zurich — breaking a historic meet record. With additional wins in Doha (49.83) and Ostrava (49.15), she is hungry to reclaim global glory.

Henriette Jaeger: Norway’s New Star

Europe’s breakthrough talent, Henriette Jaeger, has electrified the track this season. She broke the Norwegian national record with 49.49 in Zurich and claimed her first Diamond League win in Lausanne. At just 22, she has already captured a European U23 title and world indoor bronze in 2025 — and Tokyo could be her true breakout.

The Next Wave of Global Contenders

Isabella Whittaker (USA): NCAA indoor champion, North American record-holder at 49.24, with Diamond League wins in Oslo and Stockholm.
Natalia Kaczmarek-Bukowiecka (Poland): European champion (48.98 NR) and Olympic bronze medallist, always a dangerous finisher.
Martina Weil (Chile): Daughter of Olympic medalist Ximena Restrepo, she has set multiple national records this season (49.72 in Zurich).
Amber Anning (Great Britain): World indoor champion in Nanjing, aiming for her first outdoor global medal.
Lieke Klaver (Netherlands): European indoor champion and outdoor bronze medalist, bringing experience and grit.

Why the Women’s 400m in Tokyo Will Be Historic

The 2025 women’s 400m field is stacked with talent, experience, and hungry newcomers. The storyline is magnetic:

Can Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone conquer a new event and redefine greatness?
Will Marileidy Paulino defend her title and cement herself as the undisputed queen?
Or will a challenger like Naser, Butler, or Jaeger shock the world with a breakthrough performance?

No matter the outcome, one thing is certain: when the finalists step onto the track in Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, the world will witness history — not just a race, but a new chapter in women’s sprinting.

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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.