Dutch star Femke Bol successfully defended her world 400m hurdles crown on Friday, powering to victory in 51.54 seconds at the World Championships in Tokyo.
She finished ahead of American Jasmine Jones, who clocked a personal best of 52.03 seconds for silver, while Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova secured bronze in a national record of 53.00 seconds.
The much-anticipated showdown between Bol and two-time Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone did not materialize, as the American opted to skip the hurdles to focus on the 400m flat. That decision proved fruitful, with McLaughlin-Levrone storming to gold in Thursday’s final with the second-fastest time ever recorded.
Despite her absence, the hurdles final delivered excitement. Bol faced strong competition from the American contingent, including Olympic silver medallist Anna Cockrell and veteran Dalilah Muhammad, the 2016 Olympic champion. However, it was Jones who stayed closest, pushing Bol into the final bend before the Dutchwoman surged clear to claim her second consecutive world title.
The win capped another exceptional season for Bol, who remained unbeaten across her sixth Diamond League campaign. Her triumph in Tokyo mirrored her 2023 success in Budapest, when she also claimed the world title in McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence due to injury.
Bol’s consistency and dominance have cemented her status as the leading challenger to McLaughlin-Levrone’s reign in the hurdles. Fans will now look ahead to the potential clash between the two in future championships.
What You Should Know
Femke Bol retained her world 400m hurdles title with a dominant run in Tokyo, finishing in 51.54 seconds.
The final missed Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who chose to race and win the 400m flat instead. Jasmine Jones (USA) and Emma Zapletalova (Slovakia) completed the podium with standout performances.
