Sydney McLaughlin, a former Kentucky track star, wins 400m hurdles gold medal in Tokyo

Former Kentucky track star Sydney McLaughlin qualified for the 400-meter hurdles final at the Tokyo Olympics.

That final took place on Tuesday night here in the United States (Wednesday in Japan), and McLaughlin did not disappoint.

Finishing the event in a world-record time of 51.46 seconds, McLaughlin won the gold medal, narrowly beating fellow Team USA runner Dalilah Muhammad:

HER GOLDEN MOMENT!@GoSydGo takes the gold in world record fashion in the women's 400m hurdles final! #TokyoOlympics x @TeamUSA

?: NBC
?: https://t.co/xHOJq5UwlD
?: NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/xFGFzaW6Gu

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2021

McLaughlin had plenty of fans on Twitter afterward, including Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers:

.@GoSydGo is incredible. Wow #WorldRecord #gold #

— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) August 4, 2021

Kentucky media members were also excited for the former Wildcat:

What a moment for @GoSydGo! https://t.co/ZdtFnXJjrV

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) August 4, 2021

One of the greatest athletes in UK History pic.twitter.com/wTfMOH9EFt

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) August 4, 2021

Gold for McLaughlin! And another world record. Wow.

— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) August 4, 2021

World record for Sydney McLaughlin and a 1-2 US finish. As good as advertised.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 4, 2021

McLaughlin is the youngest gold medalist in the event’s history, too, so it seems she has a very bright future on the track.