Muhammad breaks world record in the 400 hurdles

Des Moines, Iowa — In workouts, Dalilah Muhammad has often been on world-record pace.

On a drizzly Sunday night, she put everything together. Muhammad broke a 16-year-old world record in the 400-meter hurdles by finishing in 52.20 seconds at the U.S. championships.

"I'm just shocked," Muhammad said. "I broke the world record."

With puddles formed on the track, the reigning Olympic champion sloshed her way to eclipse the mark of 52.34 set by Yuliya Pechonkina of Russia on Aug. 8, 2003.

Running out of the fourth lane, Muhammad didn't let the rain drops deter her. She looked at her time and was almost taken aback. No way that can be real, right? It was. Muhammad smiled, briefly put her hands on her hips and then slumped down when her time flashed on the screen at Drake Stadium. Third-place finisher Ashley Spencer bounded over to congratulate her as well as teenager Sydney McLaughlin, who hugged Muhammad after finishing second.

To think, Muhammad fell in a training session two weeks ago and suffered a mild concussion. She missed three days of workouts to heal.

She lost none of her speed. Then again, the level of the competition brought out the best in her. A worldclass field was assembled — even at nationals.

Muhammad believes it's not going to last long. It may even fall again at the world championships this fall in Doha, Qatar. Defending world champion Kori Carter didn't even compete at nationals in the event since she has an automatic bye into worlds.

"That 52 is going to get broke," Muhammad said. "If not by me by the other women." McLaughlin finished in 52.88. "It was a really fast race and I could feel the pace being pushed," McLaughlin said. "I'm happy to be a part of a world-record race. It's awesome."