Femke Bol has been on a tear through the track world, breaking records and leaving stunned competitors in her wake. The Dutch dynamo, with her electric stride and relentless drive, has been unstoppable in the 400m hurdles this season. At the Rabat Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athlétisme, she scorched the track in 52.46 seconds, setting a new meet record. Then, in Monaco’s Diamond League, she didn’t just win, she obliterated the field with a world-leading 51.95 seconds, snatching the meet record and the season’s fastest time from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in a single shot. That’s Femke: always pushing, always chasing perfection, and always pushing the goal post. But only this time…
So to speak, her dominance didn’t stop in Monaco. At the London Diamond League on July 20, 2025, Bol powered to another victory, clocking 52.10 seconds, the only time she did not improve on her previous mark. Still this marked her fourth straight Diamond League win of the season and an astonishing 29th consecutive Diamond League victory overall. She led from the first hurdle, widening the gap with every stride, proving she’s not just racing against others but against her own limits. Yet even as the wins pile up, the real test still lies ahead.
The track world is buzzing for the upcoming Tokyo World Championships, where Bol will face her ultimate rival, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the Olympic champion and world record holder. The two haven’t clashed since 2022, with Sydney leading their head-to-head 3-0, making this showdown a must-watch. After her London win, Bol got real about her performance, revealing a champion’s self-awareness: “I wanted to run quicker in Monaco, but my second bend was really not great there, so I had hoped to do better here. I think I executed the second bend better here, but other elements were a little less good, so it is a bit disappointing.” Clearly she didn’t get what she wanted, demonstrating her hunger for more glory.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – 4 x 400m Relay Mixed Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 03, 2024. Femke Bol of Netherlands celebrates as she crosses the line to win gold. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
“I love this track, I love this crowd, so you want to give them something special. It is a win, so I am happy, so I have to take the positives. The weather was not the problem today, it was on me. Now I am going back into training, this is the end of the first block, so we can go back and review how things have gone and be ready for that next block which leads into Tokyo.” Well, Her words reveal a fierce competitor dissecting her craft, pinpointing flaws like a technician while staying focused on the bigger prize.
She added, “So you won’t see me for a while, but uh then I’ll be doing my last few competitions and getting ready for Tokyo.” , well that means soemthing. Is Bol stepping away for now to prepare for the ultimate battle in Tokyo? Well, Bol’s stepping back to refine her game, analyzing every stride and hurdle to peak in Tokyo. But can she turn her self-critique into the edge needed to topple McLaughlin-Levrone?
Femke Bol’s London triumph fuels Tokyo dreams
After Femke Bol electrified the London Diamond League this weekend, the Dutch star’s victory, her fourth straight Diamond League win this season and 29th consecutive overall, cemented her as a force of nature. Her strides were a symphony of power and precision, leaving rivals trailing from the first hurdle. London’s roaring crowd only amplified her brilliance, as she turned the track into her personal stage. But what makes this win so special to her?
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 400m Hurdles Semi-Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 06, 2024. Femke Bol of Netherlands reacts after winning semi final 3. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
After crossing the line, Bol’s love for London spilled out: “It’s really one of my all-time favorites. I have a lot of favorites, but this is on top of my favorites. I mean, this track, this atmosphere, it’s unlike anything, and I enjoy it so much.” Her passion for the venue fueled her record-breaking run, but she’s not resting on laurels.
With the Tokyo World Championships looming, where she’ll face Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Bol’s focus is razor-sharp. She revealed her strategy: “I just really focus on my own process. Every year we reflect, we look at what we can do better. And uh, I think this year we’re working on things. I’m just working on getting my own race perfect.” Her methodical approach shows a champion honing her craft. Can this mindset lead her to victory in Tokyo?
The post Femke Bol Accepts Personal Flaws in Public Confession Ahead of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Race appeared first on EssentiallySports.
