The Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers event is one of the toughest challenges in track and field. It requires exceptional speed, endurance, and technical skills. Over the years, many athletes have dominated this race, setting records and winning major championships. The ranking in this article is based on Olympic and World Championship medals, world records, technical advancements, and career longevity.
List of Greatest Women’s 400 Meter hurdlers
10. Daimi Pernia (Cuba)
Daimi Pernia was one of Cuba’s finest hurdlers, making a mark in the Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers. She won gold at the 1999 World Championships with a personal best of 52.89 seconds and followed it up with a bronze medal in 2001. Though she never won an Olympic medal, she finished fourth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, narrowly missing the podium. Pernia’s career peak was from 1999 to 2001, but she remained a strong competitor until 2006. Her ability to maintain a high level in a competitive era secures her a place among the best.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 🥇 Gold | 1999 |
| World Championships | 🥉 Bronze | 2001 |
| Olympics | 4th place | 2000 |
9. Tonja Buford-Bailey (USA)
Tonja Buford-Bailey is remembered for her thrilling races in the Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers. She won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and secured a silver at the 1995 World Championships, where she finished just 0.01 seconds behind Kim Batten in an iconic race. Though she never held a world record, her performance in 1995 broke the previous mark. Competing at an elite level from 1995 to 2001, she was a consistent presence in global finals. After her retirement, she became a renowned coach, continuing to influence the sport.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 🥉 Bronze | 1996 |
| World Championships | 🥈 Silver | 1995 |
8. Lashinda Demus (USA)
Lashinda Demus was one of the strongest competitors in the Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers, despite never winning an Olympic medal. She won silver at the 2009 World Championships and set a lifetime best of 52.47 seconds. Demus consistently ran sub-53 seconds multiple times in her career, showcasing her technical excellence. Competing at a high level from 2002 to 2013, she remained one of the world’s top hurdlers for over a decade. Though she missed out on Olympic success, her longevity and strong performances her place in history.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 🥈 Silver | 2009 |
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7. Nezha Bidouane (Morocco)
Nezha Bidouane was a dominant force in the Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers in the late 1990s. She won two World Championship gold medals (1997 and 2001) and a silver in 1999. At the 2000 Olympics, she won bronze, cementing her legacy. Her personal best of 52.90 seconds was one of the fastest times of her era. Bidouane competed internationally from 1991 to 2001, showing remarkable longevity. Her dominance in the World Championships and her ability to stay among the best for a decade make her one of the greatest.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 🥉 Bronze | 2000 |
| World Championships | 🥇 Gold | 1997, 2001 |
| World Championships | 🥈 Silver | 1999 |
6. Sandra Farmer-Patrick (USA)
Sandra Farmer-Patrick was a key figure in the Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers during the 1990s. She won a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics and another at the 1993 World Championships, running a personal best of 52.79 seconds. She competed at the highest level from 1987 to 1996, with multiple fourth-place finishes in World Championships. Despite facing injuries, she remained a top athlete for nearly a decade. Her consistency and technical precision earned her a place among the best hurdlers in history.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 🥈 Silver | 1992 |
| World Championships | 🥈 Silver | 1993 |
5. Yuliya Pechonkina (Russia)
Yuliya Pechonkina holds one of the fastest times in Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers history, setting a world record of 52.34 seconds in 2003. She won gold at the 2005 World Championships, along with two silvers and a bronze in other editions. Though she never won an Olympic medal, she was a consistent performer from 1999 to 2007. Despite controversies surrounding her record, her dominance in major events cannot be overlooked.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 🥇 Gold | 2005 |
| World Championships | 🥈 Silver | 2001, 2007 |
| World Championships | 🥉 Bronze | 2003 |
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4. Melaine Walker (Jamaica)
Melaine Walker was a dominant force in the Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers, winning gold at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships. In the 2009 World Championships, she ran 52.42 seconds, making her the second-fastest hurdler at the time. Though her career lacked longevity, her peak performances from 2008 to 2010 were unmatched.
Achievements
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 🥇 Gold | 2008 |
| World Championships | 🥇 Gold | 2009 |
3. Deon Hemmings (Jamaica)
Deon Hemmings was the first Jamaican woman to win Olympic gold in the Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers, achieving this in 1996. She also won silver in 2000 and multiple World Championship medals. Competing from 1995 to 2000, she was one of the sport’s biggest names.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 🥇 Gold | 1996 |
| Olympics | 🥈 Silver | 2000 |
2. Sally Gunnell (United Kingdom)
Sally Gunnell is one of the greatest athletes in theGreatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers. She won gold at the 1992 Olympics and set a world record of 52.74 seconds at the 1993 World Championships. Her dominance from 1991 to 1997 made her one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Achievements
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 🥇 Gold | 1992 |
| World Championships | 🥇 Gold | 1993 |
1. Kim Batten (USA)
Kim Batten ranks as the greatest athlete in Greatest Women 400 Meter Hurdlers. She won the 1995 World Championships, setting a world record of 52.61 seconds. She also earned silver at the 1996 Olympics and had a long career from 1991 to 1998.
| Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 🥈 Silver | 1996 |
| World Championships | 🥇 Gold | 1995 |
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