Sydney McLaughlin does it again, breaks own 400m hurdles world record

Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin broke her own world record in the 400-metre hurdles at the U.S. outdoor track and field championships Saturday.

McLaughlin flashed a broad smile when her time was announced, then gave a thumbs-up. She crossed the finish line at Hayward Field in 51.41 seconds, breaking her own record of 51.46 set last year at the Tokyo Games, where she won the gold medal.

"I mean it's Track Town USA, what do you expect? she said afterward. "Every time I come here I can just feel something amazing is going to happen."

Asked how she was going to celebrated afterward, McLaughlin joked: "Eating some real food besides vegetables. Like a cheeseburger or something, some pancakes."

The top three finishers in each event at the national championships will represent the United States in the world outdoor championships, also at Eugene's Hayward Field, next month. It is the first time that track and field's biggest event outside of the Olympics will be held on American soil.

Dalilah Muhammad sat out of the race because of a slight injury, but she has already qualified for the world championships as the defending champion in the event. McLaughlin will also be joined on the U.S. team by runner-up Britton Wilson and third-place finisher Shamier Little.

Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track history, finished sixth in the 400, in what was her final national championship race.

Felix, who announced in April that this will be her final season, is enjoying the final days of her illustrious career — which includes 11 Olympic medals. She plans to run her final official race in her native Los Angeles in August. Despite her finish, Felix will is expected make the mixed relay team at worlds.

NCAA champion Talitha Diggs of Florida won the 400 in 50.22 seconds.

"It was a great field. So just wanted to make sure to maintain my form, engage my core and just push," Diggs said.

Asked if she was disappointed with the finish, Felix laughed.

"Honestly no. You guys know the 400 is hard for me. It's not my natural passion, it's always just been something I challenged myself with," she said.

Michael Norman ran the men's 400 in a world-leading 43.56. He finished first at the Olympic trials last year and went on to place fifth in Tokyo.

World record holder Keni Harrison won the women's 100 hurdles in 12:34.

Temperatures at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus soared hovered around 33 C. Events for Sunday, the meet's final day, were moved up earlier in the day because of the heat.

Lyles edges Knighton for 200-metre title

Noah Lyles pulled in front of teenage sensation Erriyon Knighton at the finish to win the 200 metres on Sunday.

"I do what it takes to win," proclaimed Lyles, who cheekily pointed to Knighton as he hit the tape in 19.67 seconds.

Lyles won the 200 at the 2019 world championships in Doha and the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. He'll be challenged again by Knighton in the worlds next month in Eugene.

"Job not finished," said Knighton, just 18.

Richardson fails to qualify

Sha'Carri Richardson did not qualify for Sunday's 200 final, her only remaining chance to make the U.S. team for the worlds. Her time in the semifinal, 22.47 seconds, put her out of contention. She did not comment to reporters afterward.

Richardson also failed to make the field for Friday's 100 meter final, which was won by Melissa Jefferson of Coastal Carolina. Richardson's failure to qualify for the finals in either race was something of a surprise, given her form at recent meets.

With her ever-changing hair color and long nails, Richardson grabbed attention at last year's Olympic trails with a statement-making win in the 100. But she was suspended because of a positive test for marijuana, which kept her off the team sent to the Tokyo Games.

Kerley blazes to 100m win in 9.77 seconds

Olympic silver medallist Fred Kerley flashed a peace sign at the crowd after winning the 100 meters on Friday night.

Kerley crossed the line in 9.77 seconds, followed by Marvin Bracy-Williams (9.85) and Trayvon Bromell (9.88). All three earned spots on the U.S. team for the world outdoor championships.

"It's all about patience and training, and doing what I've got to do," Kerley said after taking selfies with fans. He went 9.76 in the semifinal race earlier in the day.

Kerley, who is now tied with Coleman and Bromell as the sixth-fastest performer of all time, said he was targetting eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt's 9.58 record in the distance.

"You don't go for the second place, you're trying to go for the top dog," he said.

Reigning world champion Christian Coleman, who returned to action in January after serving an 18-month suspension for breaching anti-doping whereabouts rules, did not run in the final and has a wildcard entry for the worlds.

Olympic 100m champ Jacobs takes Italian title

Olympic sprint champion Marcell Jacobs ramped up his preparations for next month's world championships in Eugene, Ore., by winning his fifth Italian national men's 100 meters title on his comeback from a muscle injury.

Jacobs picked up the injury during his winning run at a meet in Savona last month and was forced to withdraw from Diamond League meetings in Eugene, Rome and Oslo.

"The goal of this day was to run twice, in the heats and final, just as we did, to regain the rhythm after [a] small injury," Jacobs, who claimed victory in 10.12 seconds, said after his win on Saturday.

"In the final part of the race I could not [use] the strength that I have, because of some fear and worries about pushing too hard.

"Eugene is a great track with lots of wind in [your] favour all the time. I'm looking forward to competing at the worlds and testing it out."

Jacobs became the first Italian to win Olympic 100 gold in Tokyo last August, clocking a European record 9.80 in the final, before adding a second gold in the 100 relay.

He is set to compete at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm next week before worlds, which begin July 15.