<page_title> 2009 World Championships in Athletics – Women's 400 metres hurdles </page_title> <section_title> Records before the Championships </section_title> <table> <cell> World leading </cell> <cell> Lashinda Demus (USA) </cell> <cell> 52.63 </cell> </table>
Lashinda Demus sets the world leading record of 52.63 before the championships.