Karsten Warholm (24) has never run faster in the 400 meter hurdles.
Warholm clocked 46.87 during Sunday’s Diamond League competition in Stockholm. Thus, he broke his own European record of 46.92.
It is also the second fastest race of all time in the 400 meter hurdles.
– I’m proud, very proud. I and the coach have worked very hard. I am very proud to achieve this, Warholm says to NRK.
Hooked on the run
Despite the solid time, it was still not a completely perfect race by the Norwegian.
Probably broke the world record for Warholm when he came across the last hurdle in the race.
– When I hit the last stern I thought it was run, but when I saw 46.87 it was big for me. I am very proud, says Warholm.
He also impressed NRK’s commentators.
– It is not a flawless race when he sets a European record and a personal record – nine hundredths behind the world record that has stood for 28 years, Jann Post commented on NRK.
– Maybe it was a little touch away from the world record, but in any case it was one of the roughest athletic achievements made by a Norwegian ever. This is all night, said Post, who received support from Olympic champion Vebjørn Rodal.
PROBLEMS: Karsten Warholm had problems over the last hurdle.
Photo: (Screenshot NRK)
The Norwegian was by the way in a class of his own in relation to the competitors in Stockholm. French Wilfried Happio was second with a time of 49.14, while Ludby Vaillant was third with 49.18.
Chased the record
There was never any doubt that Kevin Young’s world record of 46.78 from 1992 was the big goal for Warholm in Stockholm on Sunday afternoon.
The Norwegian showed great form in Monaco earlier this month when he ran in the time 47.10 and before Sunday’s race there were several who believed that Warholm could challenge Young’s record.
The weather forecast that showed some wind at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm, however, created some uncertainty.
FASTEST: Karsten Warholm with his best race in his career.
Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand (AFP)
Warholm, who early runs regularly in lane seven, this time chose lane eight. NRK’s athletics expert Vebjørn Rodal thinks the Norwegian did this precisely to shield himself from any wind and to make the turns a little less sharp.
– A calculated and smart move, Rodal stated on NRK before the race.
However, it just did not hold for a new world record, but Warholm delivered another fantastic race in Stockholm.
