Norway's Warholm wins gold in 400 m hurdles at World Championships in Doha

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Yesterday, Karsten Warholm of Norway won the 400 metres hurdles final at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar. This was a successful defense of his 2017 title won in London, United Kingdom. The World Athletics Championships are held every other year.

Warholm (right) at the 2018 European Athletics Championships; from file.
Image: Erik van Leeuwen.

Warholm, who is 23 years old, won the gold medal with a time of 47.42 seconds. The silver medal was won by Rai Benjamin from the United States, who finished the race in 47.66 seconds. Third place and the bronze medal went to Abderrahman Samba of Qatar with a time of 48.03 seconds.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Warholm said, "This was a very tough race. I actually felt my heart was going to stop [...] I thought 'I'm going to die but it's going to be worth it'." He also commented on the future, "This is only the beginning and I am very lucky to win [...] It's deserved but in the future these guys will be tougher to beat. Tomorrow I have to get up and work again. That is what I love."

Earlier this year, Warholm set a personal best time of 46.92 seconds in the 400 m hurdles, the second-fastest time recorded in the history of the event. The world record stands at 46.78 seconds and belongs to Kevin Young. This record has stood since 1992.


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