Three-time world champion Karsten Warholm made a spectacular start to his 2025 season, breaking his own world best in the 300m hurdles at the Wanda Diamond League opener in Xiamen on Saturday (26).
The Norwegian superstar dominated the race, crossing the line in a breathtaking 33.05 seconds. An improvement of 0.21 seconds over his previous world best set in Oslo in 2021, the same year he established the legendary 400m hurdles world record.
Brazil’s Matheus Lima claimed second place in 33.98, while Japan’s Ken Toyoda finished third in 34.22. World Athletics recently declared the 300m hurdles an official world record event, adding significance to the race.
Warholm admitted his own form surprised him in the best way.
“I was a little bit surprised by how easy my legs were feeling off the last bend,” he said.
“Of course, you feel it a little bit in the end, but I managed to really push in the last 45 metres. This shows that the speed is there and the speed over the hurdles is there.”
Warholm’s record-breaking feat was one of eight meeting records set in Xiamen. This was his first race since a thrilling 100m showdown with Armand Duplantis in Zurich last September.
Skipping the indoor season, Warholm’s dominant return shows his focus for a crucial year ahead. His season peaks at the Tokyo World Championships, where he targets a historic fourth world title.