McLaughlin-Levrone runs fastest women’s 400m in 40 years to claim world gold

• US runner takes title in 47.78 sec at World Championship

• Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi wins men's 400m

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ran the fastest women's 400 metres in 40 years to claim world championship gold in 47.78 sec on Thursday and complete her transition from the one-lap hurdles in emphatic style.

The American stormed through the Tokyo rain to add a first global gold in the flat 400m to the two Olympic and one world titles she won over the hurdles.