Tokyo World Championships: Femke Bol, Dalilah Muhammad, Anna Cockrel Headline 400m Hurdles Final Line-Up

The Women’s 400m Hurdles semi-finals at the Tokyo World Championships delivered the drama and speed expected of one of track and field’s most competitive events. 

With Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opting not to contest the hurdles this season to focus on the flat 400m, the door has opened for other athletes – and the battle lines are clearly drawn after three scintillating heats.

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Dutch superstar Femke Bol, who is the reigning World Champion, stamped her authority on the field with a commanding run in Heat 2. Clocking 52.31, the fastest time across all semi-finals, Bol looked effortless as she sailed over the barriers and cruised to victory.

 The reigning European champion is now the overwhelming favorite to claim gold, with her fluid stride and consistent sub-53 performances setting her apart.

Joining Bol from the same heat was Dalilah Muhammad (USA), the 2019 world champion and former Olympic silver medalist. Muhammad showed her trademark composure, clocking 53.14 to secure the second automatic qualifying spot. 

While she hasn’t displayed the record-breaking form of past seasons, her experience makes her a serious threat in the final.

Semi final  1 was lit up by Gianna Woodruff (Panama), who stormed to victory in 52.66, breaking the South American Area Record. Her performance confirmed she is peaking at exactly the right time, and she could be the surprise challenger to Bol and the Americans for gold. 

The USA’s Jasmine Jones also impressed in the same heat, running a Season’s Best 53.01 to claim second place and her ticket to the final.

In semi final 3, Anna Cockrell (USA) ensured American dominance continued by winning in 53.28, while Jamaica’s Shiann Salmon claimed the second automatic qualifying spot with a 54.03 Season’s Best. Norway’s Amalie Iuel (54.28 PB) and Belgium’s Naomi Van Den Broeck (53.65 NR) advanced as the two fastest qualifiers outside the automatic slots, adding to the global depth of the field.

The final will feature a fascinating mix of experience and emerging talent: three U.S. athletes (Muhammad, Jones, Cockrell) aiming to fill the void left by McLaughlin-Levrone, Woodruff riding the momentum of a record run, and Bol standing tall as the clear favorite.

With McLaughlin-Levrone absent, this race has become one of the most open and intriguing finals of the championships. Bol may carry the favorite’s tag, but history shows the 400m hurdles often produces surprises – and the world will be watching as a new chapter is written.

• Femke Bol (NED) – 52.31 Q
  
  

• Gianna Woodruff (PAN) – 52.66 Q, AR
  
  

• Jasmine Jones (USA) – 53.01 Q, SB
  
  

• Dalilah Muhammad (USA) – 53.14 Q
  
  

• Anna Cockrell (USA) – 53.28 Q
  
  

• Shiann Salmon (JAM) – 54.03 Q, SB
  
  

• Naomi Van Den Broeck (BEL) – 53.65 q, NR
  
  

• Amalie Iuel (NOR) – 54.28 q, PB