Aaliyah Butler Talks Victory in 400m Final, Mindset, Georgia Coaches & US Title | Post-Race Interview 2026 USATF
Aaliyah Butler is officially a National Champion! Butler powered through windy conditions to drop a scorching sub-50 clocking of 49.43 and claim the Women's 400m title. Having previously placed 2nd and 3rd at USATF, Butler breaks down why winning means more than chasing fast times, how her Georgia coaches Caryl Smith Gilbert and Kareem Jackson instill bulletproof confidence, and her mindset heading into global competition.
Video Transcript
Definitely a little windy out there, but congratulations.
Another sub 50.
Yeah.
How do you feel out there right now?
I'm a very pr- pretty good Sorry.
I felt pretty good even though I knew it was, like, a lot of wind going on.
So just running a 49 in those type of condition means I'm in very good shape, and I believe that I can run faster, especially at nationals and running against women that run low 49s and 48s.
You talked about working on your finish.
How did it feel about this one?
It felt pretty good.
Definitely a couple wind, but I was just working on my form and my breathing a lot, 'cause that really helps me do my best coming home.
How much does it mean to be a national champion?
It means a lot, because my first time going to USAs, I got second.
Last year, I got third.
So coming out with a win means a lot to me.
Last year, I spoke to you, and you said at some point you wanted to be the best 400 meter runner in the world.
Mm-hmm.
So how does today play into that goal?
It means a lot.
Like, to be the best, you have to keep on winning and running fast.
But people look at wins more than they look at the time.
So, if I just keep on winning and beating the best competition, I believe I can make it up there.
Obviously very new to the pro circuit- Yes but also still very competitive.
Talk about, like, what makes you stand out.
I think, s- I always believe in myself, always trust my training.
When I get out on the track, I'm not scared of nobody.
Like, Coach Carol always say, "Don't be scared of nobody but God."
So I just go out there with that mentality and just run my race.
Doesn't matter who I'm going against.
Like, if I lose, Coach Carol's like, "Make sure you take it to hell."
Yeah.
And then where do you guys get, like, obviously you're a normal guy, right?
Like, it's so hard to walk with that confidence.
When did that really start for you, or was something you always had?
I feel like I always had it, but when I went to Georgia, 'cause Coach Carol is really big on confidence and believe in yourself.
She really amped it up in me.
So every time I get on a track, even at practice, she's always saying things to get in our head to make sure, 'cause when we go on the track, it's gonna be a lot of people.
You're gonna see your competition, and that might mess you up.
So she makes sure she does that to us during practice and when we out here, it means nothing to us.
It doesn't do anything to us out here.
And in terms of Coach Carol, I hear no- everybody just speaks the highest praises, and you talked about her support.
Daejae talked about how she helps her out mentally.
Yeah.
How does she help you out in certain aspects?
Yeah, definitely.
Going to Georgia my freshman year, my mentor was not the best, and she helped me bring it up to the point where now when I get on track, I'm just running my race.
And if I run against somebody that has a faster time, I just run against them.
She's always like, "Just stay right there," and just whoever wants it more is gonna win.
But she definitely helps everybody on the team with our confidence and help us believe, 'cause a lot of people on this team this year went to nationals, ran very fast times that they believed they couldn't do.
But until Coach Carol, Coach Kareem, talks to them and trust them in their trust for training, they went out there and did what they had to do and won the national championship.
Even on the boys side, they got second.
Thank you so much, Kaylyn.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thanks.
