Karsten Warholm has reignited the spotlight on hurdling’s fiercest rivalry, delivering a record-breaking performance just months before the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
The Norwegian clocked a stunning 32.67 seconds in the rarely contested 300m hurdles at Thursday’s Diamond League meet at Oslo’s Bislett Stadium. Though not yet ratified as an official world record by World Athletics, the time is the fastest ever recorded for the event, which has recently gained official recognition.
The 29-year-old reigning world and former Olympic champion outpaced American Rai Benjamin — who claimed Olympic gold in Paris last year — and Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos, the 2022 world champion. Their showdown electrified the sold-out 15,000-strong crowd in Oslo, who rose as one in the tense moments before the final race of the night.
As the athletes took their marks, silence fell — quickly shattered by the thunderous cheers when the gun fired. Warholm, trailing slightly in the final stretch as Benjamin surged forward, regained control after Benjamin clipped the final hurdle, storming through the finish to a deafening roar.
“I was worried when Rai started closing in,” Warholm admitted after the race. “But I knew I had a strong finish left in me. The 300 suits me — I don’t fade as much as I sometimes do in the 400.”
Benjamin finished second with 33.22 seconds, while Dos Santos claimed third in 33.38. It marked the first time the trio had competed together in the 300m hurdles, a prelude to their anticipated clash in the 400m hurdles at Sunday’s Diamond League event in Stockholm.
“I felt smooth over the hurdles,” Warholm said. “The atmosphere was incredible. Competing like this in front of a home crowd means the world to me.”
He also shared that he’s been sharpening his speed with 200m training sessions, a strategy that seemed to pay off.
The night ended in celebration as Warholm tore off his singlet in triumph and was greeted by track legend Usain Bolt, making his first Oslo appearance since retiring in 2017. Children and fans swarmed the track in jubilant scenes.
The victory adds another chapter to Warholm’s legacy, which began with his jaw-dropping world record at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Before Warholm’s 46.70-second run in 2021, Kevin Young’s 1992 record of 46.78 had stood for nearly 30 years — now, it’s only the 19th fastest time.
Benjamin reflected positively on his debut in the 300m hurdles. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m pleased,” he said. “This was my first race since Paris last year, so there’s still work to do. My goal is gold in Tokyo, but I’m easing back into it.”
Dos Santos echoed the sentiment: “We’re all pushing each other to be better. I’m proud to be part of this incredible rivalry.”
With their performances in Oslo, the trio continues to raise the bar for hurdling — and the world will be watching when they meet again in Tokyo.
