US Championship 2019: Dalilah Muhammad sets 400m hurdles record, Lyles wins 200m

US Championship 2019: Dalilah Muhammad sets 400m hurdles record, Lyles wins 200m: Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad shattered one of the longest standing records in women’s athletics with a superb display to clinch victory in the 400m hurdles title in 52.20 seconds at US Championships in Iowa on Sunday.

The 29-year-old powered home to win in 52.20sec at rain-soaked Drake Stadium on Sunday, obliterating the 16-year-old previous world record of 52.34sec set by Russia’s Yuliya Pechonkina in 2003.

Muhammad said, “I’m just shocked. My coach kept telling me (the record) was there. I just had to trust that and go for it. I wanted it so bad I knew I had to go out there and prove myself.”

Teenager Sydney McLaughlin was second in 52.88 sec and Ashley Spencer third in 53.11 sec. Muhammad’s record-breaking display put the seal on the final events of the four-day meeting, the US trials for this year’s World Championships in Doha.

In other events, charismatic rising sprint star Noah Lylesfixed his spot on the team for Qatar with a blistering win in the 200m.

Lyles, who warmed up in the blocks by copying mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor’s swishing arms routine, scorched to a win in 19.78sec, with 100m winner and rival Christian Coleman crossing second in 20.02. Ameer Webb was third in 20.45.

The 22-year sprinter, Lyles said “All I cared about today was the win. The USA’s is the hardest team to make and anything can happen over the three rounds. This was my first time going over three rounds so I was really excited to see what I could do.”

He further added, “We train in all conditions. I live in Florida and it is hot and rains at any time in the day. Light drizzle doesn’t bother me.”

Meanwhile, in the women’s 200m, Dezerea Bryant took victory with a time of 22.47, crossing ahead of Brittany Brown and Angie Annelus.

The men’s 110m hurdles saw an upset with Daniel Roberts beating Grant Holloway, this season’s fastest man over the distance, with a time of 13.23sec. Holloway finished second in 13.36 while Devon Allen was third in 13.38 sec.

Similarly, in the men’s 1,500m saw Craig Engels score a notable victory over 2016 Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz, winning in 3min 44.93sec. Centrowitz was second in 3:44.97 while Josh Thompson was third in 3:45.25.

In the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, reigning world champion Emma Coburn powered to her sixth consecutive US crown to win in 9min 25.63sec followed by Courtney Frerichs and Colleen Quigley finishing third.