Karsten Warholm won a record fourth successive men’s 400m hurdles title at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships on Friday (14).
The brilliant Norwegian world record holder blasted away from a quality field to win in a championship record of 46.63, clipping 0.35 off his time set at Roma 2024.
It was his second gold of Birmingham 2026 having been part of the Norway's victorious mixed 4x400m team on the opening night on Monday (10).
Silver went to Germany’s Emil Agyekum, who picked up his first major medal in 47.87 and bronze to Türkiye’s Ismail Nezir, who just held off Sweden’s Oskar Edlund in 48.26.
In summary
- Warholm becomes most successful men's 400m hurdler in history of European Athletics Championships
- Agyekum takes silver for Germany
- Nezir win battle for bronze for Türkiye
As is his way, Warholm made his intentions clear right from the start. He blasted from his blocks in lane six and quickly seized the lead.
By the time he reached the turn, he was significantly clear and the rest were left to fight out silver and bronze.
Agyekum took a tighter grip on silver on the home straight.
But bronze was a huge struggled between Nezir, Edlund, Germany’s European U23 champion Owe Fischer-Breiholz, Spain’s Jesús David Delgado and Slovenia’s Matic Ian Gucek.
It was a battle that Nezir just won with 0.50 separating third to seventh. But it was Warholm’s race, who became the first man ever to win four successive 400m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships.
What they said...
Karsten Warholm: "Honestly, this is the reason I do it - to come out here in front of people and to repeat the title - and running a championships record, the fastest I have ever done in the championship. You know, it is always about the big moment.
"It's not as easy as it looks out there, I don't take any medal for granted but today was extra special for me as nobody has ever won four in a row. I was so locked in today.
"In championships the medals always matter more than the times. It's very important as that's what adds to the resume and sticks forever. The times are the fun part.
"It's important for me to continue building the sport in Norway. Now there's a big team of us.
"My teammate Emily was in the mixed relay and I really wanted to give her a medal as well. Contributing to that is super fun. It's great to have relay teams in recent years as we never had that before. I'm proud to be part of that.
"I feel really strong and everything came together for me at the right time for me. Doing the double championship record individually and in the relay is great."
Emil Agyekum: "I wanted to give it everything today and I did that. I did not have any limits today.
"Of course, I was going for gold but I am very happy I gave it all. It was not enough for gold this time. But step by step I am getting there.
"Warholm ran today like it was nothing, so easy. Everybody was struggling with the wind - me too. I could not manage my 13th step on the ninth hurdle.
"But it was a fun race and it something different to my recent races with nice weather and good conditions. This was a new experience for me - it helped me to develop my skills.
"I come from Berlin, but I moved to Frankfurt three years ago to train with another group. It was one of the best decisions of my life and they got me in great condition.
Ismail Nezir: "I was not surprised to take the bronze, with Karsten (Warholm) and Emil (Agyekum) in the field.
"I knew two of us were going to be close, but I am so happy to win a medal in my first year in senior competition. It is an amazing feeling. It is my first medal in the seniors but it will not be my last."