Star Metro - Warholm ensures hurdles rivalry remains centre stage before Tokyo worlds

Warholm streaked to 32.67 seconds in the 300m hurdles at the Diamond League meet Thursday on his home track at Oslo's Bislett Stadium.

It was the fastest time ever clocked over the rarely-run event that has recently been given official status by World Athletics, albeit still without a ratified world record.

The 29-year-old Norwegian's victory over American Benjamin -- who succeeded him as Olympic champion in Paris last year -- and Dos Santos of Brazil certainly caught the attention of a partisan 15,000 sell-out crowd.

The starting eight racers were introduced over the stadium tannoy to a hushed silence from knowledgeable spectators appreciating the build-up to the last event of a heady evening's fill of track and field.

That stillness was rudely interrupted by the sudden clacking of folding plastic seats clicking upwards as the fans rose to their feet in unison just seconds before starter's orders.

"On your marks. Set," and then the gun, the crowd erupting into an ear-shattering crescendo of cheers for their local hero.

Warholm did not disappoint, although he had to work his way back into the race down the home straight as Benjamin threatened to pull away but eventually faltered after clipping the seventh and final hurdle.

"The race went well although I was rather worried with how much Rai was closing on me," said Warholm, the reigning world champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles.

"But I knew I could push on over the last hurdle to home. I usually fade at the end of the 400 so the 300 suits me to some degree."

Benjamin came in second in 33.22sec, with 2022 world champion Dos Santos rounding out the podium (33.38) in what was the first time the trio had all met in this discipline. They now move on to the 400m hurdles at Sunday’s Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.

Warholm said he had been practising over 200m in a bid to sharpen up.

"I was very clean over the hurdles," he said.

"The crowd was amazing as ever and the atmosphere was something else and I am just so happy that I could perform at my best in front of the support. It means a lot to me.

"There were some top stars here which is great for Bislett and it was lovely to catch up with Usain (Bolt) and tomorrow we will have lunch and chat properly."

After Warholm had streaked through the finish line, ripping his top off in delight with a roar, he was enveloped by the Jamaican sprint legend and swarms of children in chaotic scenes, Bolt making his first appearance in Oslo since he retired in 2017.

- Back to chopping wood -

Warholm kick started the transformation of the world of hurdling when he set a new world record when winning gold at the Covid-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The three podium finishers in Oslo then proceeded to redefine the gruelling event.

Until Warholm broke the world record in 2021, nobody had run the 400m hurdles faster than American Kevin Young in three decades.

Four years on, Young's once unbeatable 46.78 is only the 19th-fastest time in history. In the years since, Warholm, Benjamin and Dos Santos have pushed each other to ever greater heights, sharing out the global accolades between them.

Benjamin said he was happy with his 300m hurdles debut.

"I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I'm fairly pleased with how I performed. This is my first race since the Olympics in Paris last August so I can't expect too much right now," the American said.

"I want the gold medal in Tokyo at the world championships in September, but it's very early days for me so I have to get back into training and keep on chopping that wood.

"This here in Oslo was such a great opportunity and I'm glad they set that race up for us, it was special having the three of us face off tonight, it's good for the sport and also for our development."

Dos Santos added: "We want to do something great and I am just happy to be among the best."

O.Gauthier--SMC