In track and field, few names hold as much gravitas as Allyson Felix, a legend whose resume includes seven Olympic gold medals and a legacy of dominance. But at the age of 19, a young Track & Field star shocked the sport by beating Felix in the 400-meter Dash at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. Recording an incredible 48.14 seconds—the third-quickest time ever! That win heralded this youngster’s emergence as a force to be reckoned with. And now in 2025, this Bahraini sprint star is again causing shockwaves within the athletics world with an action that is worth more than words. But who is this young runner everyone is talking about?
At the just-concluded Felix Sánchez Classic in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 22, 2025, Salwa Eid Naser produced a scorching 400-meter run that not only won her the event but also broke a new tournament record. A Twitter user named Owen was quick to share the news on his X handle. The tweet read, “48.94s IN MARCH!!!!!!!! Salwa Eid Naser has just broken 49 seconds in the women’s 400m at the Felix Sanchez Classic. Absolutely unbelievable scenes down in the Dominican Republic as she now sets her sights on Grand Slam Track.”
In accounts from the competition, she trounced a top field, featuring Paris 2024 bronze medalist Alexander Ogando, who also excelled in the men’s 200-meter Dash with a record-shattering 20.02 seconds.
48.94s IN MARCH!!!!!!!!
Salwa Eid Naser has just broken 49 seconds in the women’s 400m at the Felix Sanchez Classic.
Absolutely unbelievable scenes down in the Dominican Republic as she now sets her sights on Grand Slam Track
@PanamSports pic.twitter.com/K3ap3SkaVi
— Owen (@_OwenM_) March 29, 2025
Naser’s performance was considerably quicker than more recent outings from Dutch star Femke Bol as well. Bol is the current Olympic champion at the 400-meter hurdles and a tough flat 400-meter performer. Naser’s run was more than just a win—it was a statement. Bol, who has been the sport’s dominant force since her breakthrough at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, clocked a 49.17-second 400-meter Dash at the 2024 Diamond League final in Brussels, a performance that highlighted her versatility but now looks inferior to Naser’s recent feat.
The importance of this performance is not lost on the world of track. Naser’s past of upsetting giants such as Felix at such a young age speaks to her ability to shake up the status quo. Her win over Felix in 2019 was no accident—it was an indication of her raw speed and aggressive racing style. Following a rollercoaster period during which she faced a doping suspension in 2020-2021, Naser came roaring back with a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the 400-meter Dash, demonstrating that she is tough. At the age of 26, it seems that she is peaking at the best time.
The Felix Sánchez Classic, in honor of the Dominican Republic’s two-time Olympic gold medalist, offered Naser the perfect platform to flex her muscles. The event, which was witnessed by more than 3,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium, was a celebration of athletic prowess, and Naser’s record-breaking run stole the limelight. Her performance not only bested Bol’s latest attempts but also issued a notice to the remainder of the competition—including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Marileidy Paulino—that she’s targeting dominance in the 400-meter Dash.
As the season of 2025 continues to roll along, with World Championships on the calendar, Bol and her peer will have to react. Naser’s showing in the Dominican Republic was not a victory; it was a gauntlet thrown, a reminder of the speed that once beat down Felix and now has the potential to redefine the women’s 400-meter terrain. She might show it as well in the upcoming Grand Slam Track season as well.
Bahrain’s Track and Field star Salwa Eid Naser will be seen in the Grand Slam Track 2025 season
Adding further fuel to the fire is the fact that Naser has just committed to racing in the much-anticipated Grand Slam Track 2025, a new professional track league founded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson. Her signing was announced on November 21, 2024, establishing her as one of the sport’s best athletes to join this revolutionary series.
Naser, a 2019 World Champion and 2024 Olympic silver medalist in the 400-meter Dash, contributes to the league a wealth of ability as well as a history of performances that left people open-mouthed. The league boasts its start in Kingston, Jamaica, next month.
Naser’s credentials are impressive. Her personal best of 48.14 seconds, clocked during her winning 2019 World Championships campaign in Doha, is the third-fastest 400-meter time in history, behind only the disputed marks of Marita Koch (47.60) and Jarmila Kratochvílová (47.99). That victory made her the youngest-ever world champion in the event at the age of 21 and the first woman from an Asian country to win the title.
In Grand Slam Track, Naser will race in the “long sprints” division, competing in both the 200-meter and 400-meter races at each of the four Slams held in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The league’s format rewards points for finishing positions in the two races, with the top scorer at each Slam taking home a $100,000 prize.
The post Defeated Allyson Felix at 19, Track & Field Star Sends a Strong Message to Femke Bol & Co. After Recent Event appeared first on EssentiallySports.