Tokyo 2021: Norwegian Karsten Warholm smashes the 400m hurdles world record
The Norwegian Karsten Warholm, on August 3, 2021 in Tokyo, just after breaking the world record in the 400m hurdles.
REUTERS - PHIL NOBLE
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
5 mins
Huge sensation in Tokyo on Wednesday in athletics with an anthology 400m hurdles final.
Norwegian Karsten Warholm became Olympic champion by shattering his own world record (45''94).
He is the first man to go below the 46 seconds mark in the discipline.
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He cracked his jersey, in a gesture that evokes Superman.
Karsten Warholm may not be as fast as the planet Krypton superhero.
But since this Wednesday August 3, 2021, he is the new god of the 400m hurdles: already double world champion (2017 and 2019), he is also Olympic champion ... and first and only man under 46 seconds.
On July 1, at his home in Oslo, the Norwegian had already dusted off the world distance record.
Erased, the stopwatch of 46''78 of the American Jerome Young in the final of the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992: Karsten Warholm completed his race in 46''70.
A huge performance that seems very pale next to the earthquake in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Some celebration!
pic.twitter.com/KjWYTQETkg
- Olympics (@Olympics) August 3, 2021
The record exploded by 74 hundredths
It was almost certain that the hurdlers engaged in the final of the 400m hurdles would shake the track and panic the clock. They did not disappoint. In an Olympic stadium still so empty due to health restrictions, the finalists set off, and the expected duel between Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin (46''83 at the end of June) took shape. Faced with the favorite, the American did not deflate. He faced it to the end, almost eye to eye.
But the Norwegian, driven to excellence by this fierce competition, had the resources to give a boost after the final hurdle and fly to the gold medal with an astounding time: 45''94.
Warhol is the first man to go below 46 seconds.
By shattering his own world record of 74 hundredths, he achieves a memorable feat.
"The greatest moment of my life"
“
It's so crazy! It was by far the greatest moment of my life. I trained like a p ... maniac. I had a hard time sleeping last night because I had this special feeling in my chest. It's the same feeling I had when I was six at Christmas,
”said the new Olympic champion, known for his whimsical side, reminiscent of Jamaican Usain Bolt, another specialist in medals and records.
Karsten Warholm also had a thought for his opponent, Rai Benjamin.
The emulation between the two men resulted in an incredible final.
The American finished 2nd with a time of 46''17: he would also have largely broken the world record if Karsten Warhol had not been there.
The Brazilian Alison dos Santos is in bronze with an exceptional time of 46''72.
Norwegian Karsten Warholm strikes a pose next to the stopwatch of his world record in the 400m hurdles on August 3, 2021 in Tokyo.
REUTERS - ANDREW BOYERS
An achievement even stronger than Bolt's 9''58 in the 100m?
“
It was the biggest race in the history of the Olympic Games. (…) I will take some time to digest. But I am very happy to have been part of history like this
”, declared Rai Benjamin, for whom“
even Usain Bolt's 9''58 (over 100m during the 2009 Worlds, editor's note) cannot compete
”with what was achieved on this 400m hurdles in Tokyo.
The Olympic runner-up can hardly believe that gold has escaped him with his 46''17.
"
If you had told me that I would run in 46''1 and that I would lose, I would undoubtedly have kicked your buttocks and said to get out of my room!
He joked.
Rai Benjamin also paid tribute to the new emperor: “
Warholm is amazing.
I cannot be too disappointed.
Of course, as a competitor, it hurts a lot.
But that is quite simply the nature of the sport.
"
Karsten Warholm is the second athlete to break a world record in Tokyo.
Before him,
Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas
had broken the world record for the triple jump (15.67m).
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