European Athletics Indoor Championships 2023 - Source: Getty — Karsten Warholm is one of the athletes to watch out for at Paris Olympics 2024. (Photo via Getty Images)

Meet Karsten Warholm, the defending champion and world record holder in 400m hurdles going for another gold medal at Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 07, 2024 19:44 GMT

Karsten Warholm is a track athlete who represents Norway in the 400m hurdles. He recently clocked the fastest time in the 400m hurdles semifinals to qualify for the final. Notably, Warholm is the defending Olympic champion and world record holder, both of which he achieved during the Tokyo Olympics with a phenomenal 45.94s.

Running in semifinal 1 in Paris, he registered a time of 47.67s to finish ahead of France’s Clément Ducos who clocked 47.85s.

Ducos’ timing was also the second quickest overall during the 400m hurdles semis. The United States’ Rai Benjamin was the third best athlete overall in the discipline, clocking a time of 47.85, to top semifinal 3.

Previously, Warholm had recorded a phenomenal time of 47.57 during heat 2, which was also the best timing in the overall heats in the discipline. Following a sensational performance in the 400m hurdles semis and heats, Warholm will head into the event's final, scheduled on August 9, as one of the gold medal favorites at the Paris Olympics.

With this, let’s explore more about the Norwegian athlete as he competes in the 400m hurdles finals at the Paris Olympics set for Friday.

Karsten Warholm's hometown and family

Karsten was born on February 28, 1996, to Mikal Warholm and Kristine Haddal in Ulsteinvik, Norway. He currently resides in Oslo. During his childhood, his father played soccer, while his mother was involved in athletics.

Karsten Warholm’s Coach

Leif Olav Alnes has been the coach of Karsten Warholm for about nine years. Although their bond began through coaching, Warholm and Alnes share a very fun relationship, with Warholm describing Alnes as his best friend. Alnes is also known for being the mentor of retired sprinters Fernando Ramírez and Geir Moen.

Karsten Warholm Junior Career

Warholm is a World Youth champion in the Octathlon, which he accomplished in 2013. At the European U20 Championships, Warholm bagged two silver medals in the 400m and Decathlon in 2015.

He then went on to bag two medals at the European U23 Championships in 2017, including a gold in the 400m hurdles and a silver in the 400m.

A look into Karsten Warholm’s other prominent accomplishments

Warholm at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023. (Photo via Getty Images)

In addition to holding the 400m hurdles world record, Warholm has amassed a long list of accomplishments throughout his athletics career. He is a three-time World Athletics Championships gold medalist in the 2017, 2019, and 2023 editions.

He has also won two Diamond League titles in 2019 and 2021. His other achievements include being a three-time European Champion (outdoors) and twice in indoors.