26-year old Marileidy Paulino became the first Dominican Republic-made gold medalist in a World Athletics Championship when she clocked 48.77 to win gold in Budapest, Hungary. She shaved 0.22 from her personal best and set a national record. She defeated Natalia Kaczmarek of Poland, who won silver with 49.57 and Sada Williams of Barbados, who won bronze with 49.60.
It was Paulino’s third try at gold in the 400m at a World Championship. She had already won silver in the 400m in the 2021 Japan Olympic Games. She is the No. 1 ranked athlete in the event.
Paulino is now the woman to beat for the gold medal in the Paris Olympic Games set for 2024.
To tell from Paulino’s expressions after finishing the race, she was pleased with herself and yet surprised and relieved she accomplished what she had trained so hard for. The videos show how Paulino had a relatively slow start but then cruised to the finish line, leaving her competitors well behind.
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World Athletics
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Reuters
Track and Field Nation
24 August 2023