Karsten Warholm electrified the packed Bislett Stadium in Oslo, setting a new world best of 32.67 seconds in the rarely-contested 300m hurdles at the Oslo Diamond League on June 12, 2025. The 29‑year-old Norwegian surged ahead down the final stretch, overtaking Olympic champion Rai Benjamin, finishing over half a second faster than Benjamin’s 33.22 and Alison dos Santos’ 33.38.
In a display of pure athleticism, Warholm surged past Benjamin coming off the bend, maintaining blistering speed and precision over the final hurdles. His previous world best of 33.05, set in Xiamen in April, was obliterated by nearly four-tenths with this performance. The crowd erupted as he ripped off his vest and twirled it overhead in an iconic moment of triumph.
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This performance wasn’t just a personal triumph but a milestone for the 300m hurdles, officially recognized by World Athletics in March 2025. Warholm’s run becomes the first sub‑33‑second official performance, marking a milestone in the event’s brief history. Warholm, already Olympic and world champion in the 400m hurdles, told reporters he feels back in elite form:
“I never really went away of course, but it is good to be back… I usually fade at the end of the 400, so the 300 suits me to some degree."
He revealed that this race sets the stage for his 400m hurdles campaign, especially at the upcoming Stockholm meet and, ultimately, the World Championships in Tokyo. The Oslo meet—highlighting Mondo Duplantis’s pole vault, Nico Young’s U.S. 5,000m record, and other stellar performances—showcased Warholm's victory as the evening’s true highlight.
Warholm’s dominance of the 300m hurdles—breaking his own world best at both Xiamen (33.05) and Oslo (32.67) Diamond League events—signals not only his own renewed brilliance but also solidifies the event’s elevation in international athletics. Looking ahead, Warholm’s Oslo triumph sets high expectations. He’ll tackle the full 400m hurdles in Stockholm this Sunday, aiming to carry this momentum into the global stage. This evening’s show of speed, strength, and strategy not only cements Warholm’s legacy but also energizes the track & field world ahead of a sizzling summer of competition.
