“What a crowd pleaser! The world record has been obliterated!” That was all Katharine Merry, former 400m star and veteran of countless summers on the track, could muster after witnessing the thunderclap that was Karsten Warholm’s performance at Oslo’s Bislett Stadium on June 12. And really, there wasn’t a better way to put it. Rightfully so, that was the overall sentiment of the onlookers as this 29-year-old carved the world record. However, for the athlete himself, the story hits differently…

In front of an excited home crowd, Warholm didn’t just show up—he delivered a moment of pure athletic theatre. For this rarely contested event, the 300m hurdles, the Norwegian superstar wrote history in bold letters, clocking an astonishing 32.67 seconds to become the first man ever to dip under 33. It was vintage Warholm—explosive, dramatic, and deeply emotional. However, the drama began the moment the gun fired. Warholm launched out of the blocks like a cannonball, seizing early control. But just as the race hit the 200m mark, American rival Rai Benjamin surged ahead, threatening to spoil the hometown hero’s party.

For a brief moment, it looked like the tide had turned. But then came the response only Warholm could have summoned. Digging into his reserves, feeding off the roar of the crowd, he charged back, blazing, and stormed down the homestretch with fury and finesse. As he crossed the finish line, the clock stopped at the near-impossible: 32.67 seconds. He ripped his vest apart in sheer ecstasy, a visceral celebration of a run for the ages.

In the aftermath, Warholm had much to share about this feat. Speaking to Athletics Weekly, he opened up about the emotional weight of the moment. “It’s actually, it’s tough as well. You know, it’s a lot of emotions to deal with. To me. It’s like a make-it-or-break-it moment.” He acknowledged the massive expectations that come with being a homegrown hero—and how they almost became a burden. “You know, I’m coming out there. Everybody’s expecting a win from me, and it’s not going to be a walkover, obviously, because the level is insane.” There will be a lot of pressure indeed. But how will he tackle that?

He further explained, “So, coming out here, I know that I have to win, but I know that it’s not going to be easy.” But perhaps the most telling line came when he spoke of his inner drive: “Dealing with all those emotions and finding not the maximum, not the minimum, but the optimum way of performing is an experience that saves me today, and of course, also the little dog in me that still has a lot of fight.” The words, “a lot of “ may raise an added interest. Why? 

There’s something about Karsten Warholm on home soil that feels almost mythical. In Oslo, under the buzz of Bislett Stadium, he becomes more than just a hurdler—he becomes a force of nature. After 12 years on the international stage, with world titles and an Olympic gold to his name, you’d think the pressure might ease. But for Warholm, expectations don’t fade. They intensify. And yet, he thrives on it.

What’s the secret to delivering when the world demands nothing less than greatness? Warholm has a bold answer. “I think my mentality is‌ fu—– crazy,” he said with a laugh that barely masked his intensity. “You don’t want to. You don’t want to run against me when I’m in the little bubble that I’m in today.” That ‘bubble’ isn’t arrogance—it’s a competitive zone few can access. It’s a space where the pressure doesn’t crush him; it fuels him. But don’t mistake that fire for disrespect. Warholm knows the battlefield is filled with warriors.

“I also have huge respect for my opponents,” the Norwegian admitted. “I know that they can bring a lot of heat as well, and to me, it was probably more serious today than it was for them.” That seriousness was written all over his face on Thursday, even as he ripped apart the record books with his 32.67 finish in the 300m hurdles. But as much as that moment belonged to him, Warholm knows the fight isn’t over. “I know that they will come back stronger as well,” the three-time world champion warned. And they won’t have to wait long. In just three days, the same rivals—including the ever-dangerous Rai Benjamin—will line up against him once more. The stage will change, but the stakes remain sky-high.

Karsten Warholm’s job isn’t over yet 

Before the fireworks in Oslo even began, Rai Benjamin was already hyped. “This is the first time I will compete in these two historic competitions, which makes it even more interesting. What more could you want?” he told World Athletics, hinting at what fans already knew—something big was coming. And now, the stage is set for round two.

On June 15, at the BAUHAUS-Galan in Stockholm, the rivalry that has defined a generation of 400m hurdles will erupt once again: USA’s Olympic champion Rai Benjamin, Norway’s world record-holder and three-time world champion Karsten Warholm, and Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, the 2022 world champion, will share the same lane-staggered battlefield.

These aren’t just names. They’re titans—each carrying a unique legacy, each with something to prove. In Oslo, Warholm struck first with his jaw-dropping world best of 32.67 in the rarely run 300m hurdles, holding off a fierce challenge from Benjamin. It was raw, emotional, and a classic Warholm masterclass. But Stockholm is different. This time, it’s the 400m hurdles—the event that made all three men legends.

Warholm will bring his trademark intensity, Benjamin his surgical execution, and Dos Santos his effortless rhythm and return-to-form hunger. It’s not just a race. It’s a collision of styles, histories, and unrelenting ambition. Three champions. One race. Stockholm isn’t just hosting an athletics meet. It’s hosting a modern-day epic.