Karsten Warholm: Current Form, Latest Results and Next Race
Karsten Warholm: Current Form, Latest Results and Next Race
Karsten Warholm remains the central figure in men’s 400m hurdles heading into the late‑summer 2026 season. This profile summarises his verified personal bests and season marks, recent results (including championship performances), tactical strengths and rivalries, and what bettors should check before backing him. Where bookmakers or market coverage are discussed we note which operators were offering athletics markets at the time of writing and why availability can change.
Quick facts
| Full name | Karsten Warholm |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Norway |
| Discipline | 400 metres hurdles (primary), occasional 400m flat / 300m hurdles |
| Personal best (PB) | 45.94 – Tokyo, 3 August 2021 (Olympic final). |
| Notable honours | Olympic champion (Tokyo 2021), multiple World and European titles; multiple Diamond League winner. |
| Season best (2026, verified) | 46.52 (Silesia, 23 Aug 2026). (worldathletics.org) |
Where Warholm stands right now (form summary)
Short answer: highly competitive and still capable of sub‑47 performances. Across 2025–2026 Warholm has produced multiple world‑class runs, including a 46.28 Diamond League mark in 2025 (one of the fastest times ever) and a string of high‑quality 46s in 2026 that kept him at or near the top of the seasonal lists. His 2026 campaign featured a world‑leading run in London (46.61) and a championship record when winning the European title in Birmingham (46.63). Most recently he ran 46.52 at the Silesia (Kamila Skolimowska Memorial) meeting on 23 August 2026. (worldathletics.org)
Why that matters
- Times in the low‑46s remain match‑winning at Diamond League meetings and give Warholm a clear chance in major finals; his PB (45.94) still stands as the world record benchmark from Tokyo 2021. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Even in a season with other elite rivals (Alison dos Santos, Rai Benjamin, etc.), Warholm’s combination of start speed and sustained strength through the last 120m keeps him a short‑odds fav for championship finals—especially on the European stage. (london.diamondleague.com)
Latest results — compact timeline (confirmed)
| Date | Meet | Result | Notes / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 2026 | Silesia — Kamila Skolimowska Memorial (Wanda Diamond League) | 2nd — 46.52 (lost to Alison dos Santos 46.43) | World Athletics meet report. (worldathletics.org) |
| 14 Aug 2026 | European Athletics Championships, Birmingham | 1st — 46.63 (Championship record) | European Athletics / World Athletics reporting. (worldathletics.org) |
| 18 Jul 2026 | Novuna London Athletics Meet (Diamond League) | 1st — 46.61 (meeting record, world lead at the time) | London Diamond League / World Athletics results. (worldathletics.org) |
| 16 Aug 2025 | Silesia (2025) | 1st — 46.28 (Diamond League record; world lead 2025) | Diamond League and World Athletics reporting (historical context). (worldathletics.org) |
| 3 Aug 2021 | Tokyo Olympic Games | 1st — 45.94 (personal best world record) | Olympic/World Athletics records. (en.wikipedia.org) |
Strengths, race model and how he usually wins
Warholm’s race profile is consistent and well documented: a powerful, aggressive front half, very high speed between hurdles and the ability to sustain velocity across the final turn and run‑in. He attacks the first 250–300m to establish position, then uses strength and hurdling rhythm to prevent late surges. World Athletics reporting of his Diamond League and championship wins regularly notes his characteristic aggressive approach from the gun. (london.diamondleague.com)
Practical implications for bettors and observers:
- Warholm performs best when he gets a clean start and rhythm over the first six to seven hurdles; disruptions (stumbles, clipped hurdles, or poor lane assignment) raise upset risk.
- On form he is capable of mid‑46s and lower, but small tactical races (slow early pace) or minor niggles can push times up even if he still wins.
- Weather and track conditions matter—Warholm has produced his fastest times at hot, fast meets and in Diamond League settings. (worldathletics.org)
Key rivalries and head‑to‑head context
Over the last few seasons the 400m hurdles has three principal faces at the global level:
- Alison dos Santos (Brazil) — multiple clashes through the Diamond League season; Dos Santos beat Warholm at Silesia (23 Aug 2026) and has been one of the few to regularly run close to or below Warholm’s season marks. (worldathletics.org)
- Rai Benjamin (USA) — the long‑time American rival with world‑class speed over the 400m hurdles and 400m flat; Benjamin remains one of the primary challengers in global finals. (worldathletics.org)
- Other contenders — athletes such as Abderrahman Samba, Emil Agyekum and national up‑and‑comers who have produced strong Diamond League or championship performances and can upset on the day. (worldathletics.org)
Head‑to‑head form in 2026 tipped Dos Santos and Benjamin as Warholm’s main global threats; on the European stage Warholm has been clearly the class act, as his Birmingham title shows. (worldathletics.org)
Next confirmed races and short calendar outlook
According to Norway’s athletics federation start lists and media information, Warholm had confirmed entries for the Weltklasse Zürich meeting (Weltklasse) on 27 August