Marileidy Paulino dominates 400m at Grand Slam Track, clocks season best

Philadelphia, PA.- Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, the reigning Olympic and world champion, continued to solidify her status as the world’s premier 400-meter sprinter, delivering a powerful performance at the third stop of the Grand Slam Track series on Saturday. Paulino stormed to a first-place finish in the women’s 400m, posting a season-best time of 49.12 seconds.

This impressive showing not only secured her victory over formidable rival Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, who clocked 49.47 seconds, but also signals Paulino’s ascent towards peak form. The thrilling race at Franklin Field saw both titans maintain a blistering pace for much of the distance. However, in the final 100 meters, Paulino unleashed a superhuman burst, accelerating past Eid Naser to cross the finish line first. The stadium erupted in cheers as the Dominican star was met with her nation’s flag, celebrated by an enthusiastic crowd of compatriots.

This triumph in Philadelphia marks a significant milestone in Paulino’s season. Her 49.12-second run represents a notable improvement on her previous season-best of 49.21 seconds, which she set earlier this month at the Grand Slam’s second stop in Miami, Florida. In that event, Paulino also claimed victory in both the 400m and 200m races, demonstrating her versatility and early-season dominance.

Paulino’s commanding performance in these initial Grand Slam stages has not only secured her wins but also accumulated 12 crucial points, positioning her as a top contender for the event’s prize money. Her consistent excellence places her in an formidable position as she prepares for the upcoming challenges of the Grand Slam series and the highly competitive Diamond League events later this year.

Paulino is set to return to the track today, Sunday, June 1, for the 200-meter dash at the same Grand Slam Athletics meet. This presents another opportunity for the Dominican speedster to add to her points tally and further solidify her standing among the world’s elite sprinters in both the 200m and 400m distances. Her exceptional physical and mental form suggests she’s poised for continued success on the international stage.