Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen is this year’s sprint comet in Norwegian athletics. But last autumn there was nothing to suggest that the 20-year-old would become the fastest man in Norwegian history at 400 metres. In October last year, he underwent a major operation on his chest, which put him out of action for several months. – It was an operation with quite a lot of pain. But I got good painkillers and coped with it very well, says Bentdal Ingvaldsen, who believes that the hard experience has made him better equipped – both physically and mentally. NEW SURGERY: Bentdal Ingvaldsen had to undergo an extensive operation in the autumn. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – I think it has made me tougher and helped me to have a better mentality. When I know what I had to go through there, 400 meters won’t be as hard. Follow the NM in athletics on news and news TV. Ingvaldsen sprint 200 meter attempt Friday at 14.25. – Never would have thought so. The next time he couldn’t move so much, only shivering. The road back to top form started with easy walking, somewhat heavier training was not up to the great talent. – I went for walks at home, day in and day out, he says. During the Bislett Games in June, he started with several months of good training in his luggage. But he had never dreamed of what would happen at the legendary athletics stadium. Karsten Warholm’s Norwegian record for 400 meters was lowered by one hundredth to 44.86. It was also over a second faster than Ingvaldsen’s own record for the distance. – I never thought, when I was sitting there in the chair, that I would break the Norwegian record later in the season. I would never have thought that. So it’s an indescribably good feeling, he says of the journey from a painful operation to Norwegian sports history. Warholm: – Extremely proud of him The man who lost the record to Ingvaldsen doesn’t cheer as loudly for exactly that. – Then I get feelings that are fighting each other, says Warholm to news. Because at the same time as he wants to have as many records as possible, he wants the best for Norwegian athletics. Both now and in the future. STAR: Karsten Warholm asks for a 400-duel against Ingvaldsen. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB – The big challenge for Norwegian sports is to use the current moment to bring up new talent. Håvard is an example that things are going in the right direction, Sunnmøringen believes. The world record holder in the 400 meter hurdles knows what it means to run fast, and cannot do anything but recognize that Ingvaldsen now maintains a very high level. – It is not easy to run 44.86 in the 400 flat. That’s a good record. I am extremely proud of him, says Warholm and at the same time sends a challenge to the 20-year-old. – We have to arrange a duel soon, and not least I have to get that record back, he smiles. Ingvaldsen realizes that Warholm is keen to take the record back. – I understand that he is getting a little more excited now that I have taken the record. But I think he does well in the 400 meter hurdles, so he may well stick to it a little longer, he grins. The Moelven runner describes Warholm as a role model and greatly appreciated the praise. – It’s big, it comes from the best. Not the World Cup that is most important With the Norwegian record, Ingvaldsen qualified in the same race for this summer’s World Championships in athletics. He travels to Budapest with modest ambitions. There is another championship that reigns supreme. TALENT: Henriette Jæger and Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen both participated in the U23 EC. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Next week he will run the U23 EC in Espoo in Finland, where he is the highest-ranked athlete in the 400 metres. Gold is the goal. – It would mean everything. That’s my big goal this season, I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. I’m looking forward to getting started.
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The record boy had to undergo major surgery – is challenged to a duel by Warholm
