Karsten Warholm Triumphs in Diamond League Final, Dedicates Win to Late Grandmother

Karsten Warholm wins the Diamond League final in the 400m hurdles, dedicating the victory to his late grandmother.

    Key details

  • • Warholm finished with a time of 46.70 seconds, setting a new competition record.
  • • He dedicated his victory to his grandmother, who recently passed away.
  • • Warholm received the news of her death shortly before traveling to Zürich.
  • • He will defend his title at the World Championships in Tokyo starting September 13.

Karsten Warholm, the celebrated Norwegian track star, achieved a stunning victory in the Diamond League final for the 400 meters hurdles, clocking in at 46.70 seconds, a record for the competition. The event took place in Zürich on August 28, 2025, and showcased Warholm’s remarkable resilience amidst personal tragedy.

In an emotional revelation, Warholm dedicated his win to his grandmother, who passed away just days before the race. He received the heartbreaking news while traveling to Zürich, describing this moment as a 'brutal start' to his journey to the final. Warholm reflected on the profound influence his grandmother had on his athletic career, recalling fond memories of her timing his runs with a manual stopwatch from her living room, an early indication of his potential as an athlete.

As Warholm celebrated his victory, he pointed out the emotional weight behind his performance, stating, "This victory is for her. She always believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams in athletics. She will always be my guiding star."

Looking ahead, Warholm is set to defend his title at the World Championships in Tokyo, starting on September 13, 2025, where he aims to solidify his standing as the reigning world champion in the 400 meters hurdles.

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