Karsten Warholm – Photo Credit: Flickr

World champion Karsten Warholm of Norway achieved the world record to claim gold in an epic 400m hurdles at the Olympics on Tuesday as Germany’s Malaika Mihambo gained victory in the long jump.

The 400m hurdles is one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the Olympic track and field programme. It lived up to its billing as the 25-year-old produced a jaw-dropping performance at the Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.

Warholm stormed over the line in an incredible 45.94sec, slicing a massive 0.8sec off his own world mark of 46.70sec that was set in Oslo in July.

USA’s Rai Benjamin pushed Warholm hard in the home straight and took silver in another great speed of 46.17sec which was the second fastest in history. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos narrowly missed ducking inside the old world record, clocking 46.72sec to take bronze.

Benjamin had seemed perfectly positioned to reel in Warholm as he lurked on the Norwegian’s shoulder coming to the final hurdle. However, Warholm made an effort and drove every sinew of his 6ft 2in frame to the line for the win.