ISTANBUL, Turkey – Karsten Warholm, the Norwegian 400m hurdles specialist, made a remarkable start in round one of the men’s 400m on Day 2 of the 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul, clocking 45.75 seconds and setting a new record for the fastest ever time recorded for a heat in championships history.
Warholm dominated the race from the beginning, blazing through the opening 200m in just 21.29 seconds. Instead of easing off, he kept accelerating over the final 50m, racing home clear of Sweden’s Carl Bengstrom, who finished second with a time of 46.55 seconds. Read more: Ewa Swoboda flashes to 6.99 at 2022 Polish Indoor Championships
“It was a bit faster than I was planning but you know, I had to scare my opponents,” Warholm said. “I am very glad for the run, and I think it was a good start.”
Warholm had won gold in Glasgow 2019 in 45.05 seconds to match the long-standing European indoor record, and his performance in the opening heat showed that he is in top form.
In addition to Warholm, there were also heat wins for Czech Republic’s Matej Krsek (46.23), Inaki Canal (46.26) of Spain, Franchman Gilles Biron (46.50), and Belgium’s Julien Watrin (46.41).
Defending champion Oscar Husillos of Spain also advanced but had to settle for second place i his heat after he followed Krsek home in 46.28 seconds.
The 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships are being held in Istanbul from March 2 to March 5.
