OSLO, Norway (June 15) – Karsten Warholm, Norway’s Olympic champion, marked his outdoor season debut in spectacular fashion at the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 15, 2023. The 400m hurdles sensation delivered a stunning world-leading time of 46.52 seconds, securing a resounding victory in the event on Thursday.
Warholm’s performance thrilled the home crowd as he surpassed his own meeting and Diamond League records. His remarkable time of 46.52 seconds topped his initial world record of 46.70 seconds set in 2021, and also eclipsed Rai Benjamin’s 2023 world-leading time of 47.74 seconds.
Running from lane seven, Warholm displayed his characteristic aggression from the start, attacking the opening flights of hurdles with precision and swiftly building a significant lead over the rest of the field by the halfway mark. – Read more: Femke Bol shines with WL 52.30s at Oslo Bislett Games
The Tokyo Olympics champion maintained his advantage around the final bend before totally separating himself from the competition in the closing meters to post the fourth-fastest time in history eventually.
Speaking after the race, Warholm acknowledged the tremendous support from the crowd, stating, “When you’re on the track, you’re in the bubble, but I really felt the crowd lift me in the home straight – the adrenaline was really pumping in the last 100 meters.”
With tonight’s impressive performance, Warholm now holds three of the five fastest times in history, including his world record time of 45.94 seconds. This marks the fourth occasion in his career that he has completed the 400m hurdles in under 47 seconds.
Warholm expressed his determination to continue striving for the world record, saying, “Today shows that in the right circumstances, I can really attack the world record, maybe even this year. It really sucked to be out injured last year, and I wanted to make sure I came back with a big boom. I’ve worked really hard to get back to this level.”
Behind Warholm, CJ Allen of the United States also ran an exceptional race, shattering his personal best with a time of 47.58 seconds to secure second place. Wilfried Happio of France claimed the third spot with a time of 48.13 seconds.
With his impressive performance, Allen moved to the second position on the World Athletics top list for the season, while Happio climbed to fifth.
