Karsten Warholm
Norwegian sprinter and former world record holder in 400 m hurdles.
Karsten Warholm (born 28 February 1996) is a Norwegian sprinter who competes in the 400 metres and 400 m hurdles. He is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic champion, silver medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, three-time world champion, and former world record holder in the 400 m hurdles. Warholm broke the 29-year-old world record in July 2021, then lowered it to 45.94 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first athlete to run under 46 seconds in the event. He was voted World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year in 2021.
- born
- 28 February 1996
- nationality
- Norwegian
- field
- Sprint (400 m, 400 m hurdles)
- known_for
- Olympic gold medalist, three-time world champion, former world record holder in
- world_record
- 45.94 s (2020 Tokyo Olympics)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Warholm was born in the town of Ulsteinvik on Norway's western coast. In March 2013, he won eight gold medals at the Norwegian Youth Indoors Championships. At the 2013 World Youth Championships, he won gold in the boys' octathlon with 6451 points. In June 2014, he set a Norwegian junior record in the 400 m with a time of 46.31 s. At the 2015 European Junior Championships, he won silver in the 400 m (46.50 s) and silver in the decathlon (7764 points). In July 2016, he broke the Norwegian national record in the 400 m hurdles with 48.84 s in the European Championships semi-final, then finished sixth in the final. He made the semi-finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Warholm won his first world title in the 400 m hurdles at the 2017 World Championships with 48.35 s. He retained the title in 2019 (47.42 s) and won again in 2023. In 2019, he set European records of 47.33 s, 47.12 s, and 46.92 s, becoming the third person to run under 47 seconds. On 1 July 2021, he broke Kevin Young's world record with 46.70 s. At the Tokyo Olympics, he won gold in 45.94 s, breaking his own record by over three-quarters of a second. The silver medalist Rai Benjamin also beat the old record with 46.17 s. Warholm was voted World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year in 2021.
Reader's Guide
Karsten Warholm's significance comes from his dominance in the 400 m hurdles, winning world titles in 2017, 2019, and 2023, and European titles in 2018, 2022, 2024, and 2026. He is the first athlete ever to win three 400 m hurdles events at the World Championships. His world record of 45.94 s at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was faster than 18 runners in the men's 400 m without hurdles. Warholm achieved this without using the 'super spikes' worn by many competitors, which he criticized as 'bullshit'. His rivalry with Rai Benjamin, who also broke the old record in the same race, pushed both to historic times. Warholm's versatility comes from his early decathlon background, winning gold in the boys' octathlon at the 2013 World Youth Championships. He has won 15 Norwegian Championships across the 110 m hurdles, 400 m, and 400 m hurdles, and 11 Norwegian Indoor Championships. In September 2024, he competed in an exhibition 100 m race against pole vault world record holder Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis, finishing in a personal best of 10.47 seconds, a tenth behind Duplantis's 10.37 seconds.
Did You Know?
- Warholm broke the 29-year-old world record in the 400 m hurdles on 1 July 2021 with a time of 46.70 s.
- At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Warholm's winning time of 45.94 s was faster than 18 runners in the men's 400 m without hurdles.
- Warholm criticized the 'super spikes' worn by many competitors as 'bullshit' and broke the world record without using them.
- He is the first athlete ever to win three 400 m hurdles events at the World Championships (2017, 2019, 2023).
- In September 2024, Warholm ran a personal best of 10.47 seconds in an exhibition 100 m race against pole vault world record holder Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Karsten Warholm?
Karsten Warholm is a Norwegian sprinter born on 28 February 1996 who competes in the 400 metres and 400 m hurdles. He captured Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games and has won three world championship titles in the hurdles event.
What is Karsten Warholm's world record time?
Warholm clocked 45.94 seconds in the 400 m hurdles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to set the world record. He became the first athlete ever to break the 46-second barrier in that event.
How many world titles does Karsten Warholm hold?
He is a three-time world champion in the 400 m hurdles. Those multiple global titles mark him as one of the most dominant hurdlers of his era.
What events does Karsten Warholm specialize in?
Warholm races the 400 metres and the 400 m hurdles, both sprint disciplines. His greatest achievements and public recognition come from the hurdles competition.
Why was Karsten Warholm's 2021 world record so significant?
The previous record had stood for 29 years, making it one of the longest-held marks in the sport. By running 45.94 seconds, Warholm not only shattered that benchmark but also became the first person to go under 46 seconds in the 400 m hurdles.
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