Rojas goes for gold, Sydney sets sights on Koch’s mark

Charismatic Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas and American star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone go for gold in the triple jump and 400 metres flat in today’s action at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

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There are four finals in all, and also a first spin round the track for Britain's 800m Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson. AFP Sport picks out the three potential highlights:

WOMEN’S 400M FINAL

McLaughlin-Levrone’s smashing of the American record, which had stood for almost two decades, in her semifinal will have sent shivers down her rivals’ spines.

The manner in which the two-time 400m hurdles Olympic champion coasted in timing 48.29sec suggests that even East German Marita Koch's world record of 47.60sec, which was set nearly 40 years ago, could be under threat.

McLaughlin-Levrone’s presence has certainly revived an event that has lacked spark in recent years.

Nevertheless defending and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and the silver medallist from Paris, Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, will not go down without a fight.

“This race definitely gives me confidence for the final,” said the 26-year-old American.

“I didn’t expect to run this fast today. I still have more to show. I feel strong and good.”

WOMEN’S 800M HEATS