Karsten Warholm: Profile, Personal Bests and Career Results

August 24, 2026

Karsten Warholm: Profile, Personal Bests and Career Results

Karsten Warholm is the pre‑eminent specialist in the men’s 400 metres hurdles of the 2020s: world record holder, Olympic champion (Tokyo 2020) and a multiple world‑ and European‑level title winner. This profile summarises his verified personal bests, major championship results, recent form and practical notes for athletics bettors and race followers. Verified facts are sourced to official results and major athletics outlets; editorial commentary is clearly labelled.

Quick profile

• Full name: Karsten Warholm
• Country: Norway
• Born: 28 February 1996 (Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway).
• Height / weight: listed at 1.87 m / ~78 kg.
• Main event: 400 metres hurdles (also competitive at 400 m flat and sprint exhibitions).
• Coach: Leif Olav Alnes (longstanding coach/player relationship overseen in public athlete listings).

These baseline facts and career summary are drawn from the athlete’s official profiles and contemporary event reports. (en.wikipedia.org)

Verified personal bests (selected)

Below are Warholm’s principal verified personal bests in events most relevant to his profile. Times and venues are from competition records and athlete profiles.

Sources for the table: official competition and athlete listings (World Athletics / athlete profiles and competition reports). Where an event is non‑standard (for example 300 m hurdles and exhibition 100 m), the source notes those performances as exhibition or non‑championship results. (en.wikipedia.org)

Major championship results — A concise record

The list below highlights Warholm’s results at the most important global championships (Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships and European Championships). It focuses on final placings and medal outcomes.

Key championship facts, including the 45.94 world record in Tokyo and the Paris 2024 silver, are documented in official competition reports and major sports outlets. (worldathletics.org)

Recent form (2024–mid‑2026)

Summary: after a high‑profile 2024 (Olympic silver in Paris), Warholm’s 2025–2026 seasons have shown a combination of strong Diamond League results and championship peaks. Notable markers:

• Paris 2024 Olympic final — Warholm took silver (47.06). The race re‑ordered the international pecking order and established Rai Benjamin as a consistent top rival. (worldathletics.org)
• 2025 season — Warholm continued on the international circuit (Diamond League meetings and targeted European / world events), including fast rounds and a number of sub‑47 race performances reported in meet results. (diamondleague.com)
• Summer 2026 — Warholm posted a world‑leading 46.61 to win the London Diamond League meeting (July 18, 2026) and then delivered a championship‑record 46.63 to secure a fourth successive European title at Birmingham 2026. These results indicate a return to top level championship form in mid‑2026. (worldathletics.org)

Editorial interpretation: those mid‑2026 performances (London DL 46.61, Birmingham 46.63 CR) suggest Warholm is still capable of producing championship‑beating runs. Form is best judged in context — season target, injury history and head‑to‑head matchups (see rivalries below). The reader should treat season‑best marks and single‑meet results as indicators, not guarantees. (worldathletics.org)

Strengths and race profile

• Start and rhythm: Warholm combines an aggressive opening 200 m with a high‑tempo steady rhythm over the hurdles; his best races maintain speed over the final bend. This is visible in race biomechanics analyses and TV timing data from his world‑record performance. (athletefirst.org)
• Speed endurance: his 400 m flat PB (44.87) underlines why he can sustain high speed across a hurdled 400 m distance. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Championship temperament: Warholm has repeatedly produced peak performances in finals (Worlds and Olympics), including the exceptional Tokyo 2021 final. (worldathletics.org)
• Versatility: participation in exhibition sprints and non‑standard events (300 m hurdles) shows race‑crafting and speed diversity, useful in tactical finals. (en.wikipedia.org)

Key rivalries

Warholm’s era has been defined by a small group of exceptional 400 m hurdlers. Betting and preview coverage should focus on head‑to‑head form between these names:

• Rai Benjamin (USA) — consistent sub‑47 runner and Tokyo/Paris gold/silver contender; the pair have traded victories across major finals. (worldathletics.org)
• Alison dos Santos (BRA) — another sub‑47 performer who has beaten and been beaten by Warholm at Diamond League and championship level. (assets.aws.worldathletics.org)
• Other Diamond League contenders — younger challengers and former sub‑47 athletes (e.g., Abderrahman Samba, Alison’s cohort) who influence heat draws and tactical finals. (atleticalive.it)

Betting notes for athletics/running bettors

Elements‑Running provides factual context for bettors; this is not betting advice. Sportsbook coverage of athletics is event‑dependent and varies by country and operator. The items below are practical checks before placing a wager on Warholm or 400 m hurdles markets.

Which bookmakers currently list athletics markets

Major licensed bookmakers typically publish athletics/track field markets for the Olympics, World Athletics Championships, European Championships and selected Diamond League / marquee meetings. Examples of operators that actively list athletics markets around major events include BetMGM (Olympics/major events pages), BetUK/Bet365 (track field sections for major meets) and specialists listed by comparison sites — but availability changes by event and region. Always check the operator’s current sports menu and the specific event page before assuming a market exists. (betmgm.co.uk)

What markets are commonly offered

• Outright (event winner) — for finals at Olympics / Worlds / Diamond League finals.
• Podium (top 3) / Top‑finish markets — commonly used in athletics when multiple contenders are strong.
• Matchups / head‑to‑head — Warholm vs another named athlete; useful where liquidity is thin for outright markets.
• Prop markets (less common): time‑based markets (under/over a benchmark), national medal tallies, and novelty markets around records — availability depends on operator risk appetite and event type.

Operators may exclude or limit markets for athletes with uncertain start status; markets and min‑odds rules vary. Read a sportsbook’s event rules and settlement terms. (betuk.com)

Practical checklist for betting on Warholm

1. Confirm the market is live for the specific meeting and the bettor’s jurisdiction — championship presence (Olympics/Worlds) is most likely to be covered. (betmgm.co.uk)
2. Check start lists and late withdrawals — organisers publish confirmed start lists and start lists are typically finalised at technical meetings (usually posted ≥7 days or at least the day before the meet). If a favourite withdraws, some markets will be voided or edited. (worldathletics.org)
3. Compare head‑to‑head and outright odds across multiple bookmakers; some firms offer deeper athletics menus (e.g., specialist European books around Diamond League/European events). (bettingranker.com)
4. Factor championship history over single‑meet times: Warholm’s record shows he can peak for finals (a variable that matters in outright markets). (worldathletics.org)

Responsible gambling note: betting involves financial risk. Only wager what you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, seek advice from local support services. This page is informational and does not encourage irresponsible wagering.

Editorial assessment shortform prediction (labelled opinion)

Based on Warholm’s mid‑2026 results (world‑leading 46.61 in London and a 46.63 championship record at the European Championships), he remains a live contender for major global titles when fit. For major finals (Worlds/Olympics), prediction weight should account for: current season bests, head‑to‑head results with the nearest rivals (Rai Benjamin, Alison dos Santos), lane draw, and injury status. A conservative editorial view: when Warholm is healthy and has posted sub‑46.8–47