– It has been tough until now, but we are doing well, says Dos Santos to news, as it says that it is just a month until the WC in Budapest. The reigning world champion in the 400 meter hurdles has had a troubled start to the season. The meniscus had to be operated on after trouble during training this winter. The season debut had to wait until 16 July – and went without a hitch. The 23-year-old sprinted to a solid 44.73 seconds in the 400 meters in Chorzów, just 19 hundredths behind his personal best. Now the smile and self-confidence are back with the Brazilian, who sends a clear warning in the direction of Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin: – I am the world champion. I will go there and fight for my title and become world champion again. Because it was not a matter of course that he would be in such good shape, or that he would catch up with the other two great hurdlers. In mid-June, Warholm proved that he is seriously back, when he ran in a time of 46.52 at Bislett. It is the second best race the Norwegian has ever run. A few weeks later, Rai Benjamin followed up. He won the American championship in 46.62. The American has withdrawn from the vote in Monaco. – I’m a little disappointed that Rai didn’t come. It would have been a real foretaste of the WC. But Alison is here, looking confident and poised as ever. It’s going to be a tough race tomorrow, but I’m looking forward to it. I know this is the race I need now, I need some competition. And I would like us to be able to stress each other a little, says Warholm to news. Warholm: – He’s not lying The Norwegian hesitates for a long time when he is asked who is the best in the world in the 400 meter hurdles right now. He has jumped to two of his three best times without being pressured this season, has the year’s best in the world and has proven that he is capable. Dos Santos will not give a clear verdict either, but he is clear that he is strong enough to copy Eugene’s World Cup feat. Anything else would be stupid, says Warholm: – It would be stupid of him if he didn’t think he was going to win. If you’re going to have a chance to do it, you have to actually do it. He’s not lying when he says he’s world champion, he is. But I think that deep down he knows that there are more people who want that title and that he won’t get it for free. RIGHT FROM THE SEASON OF JUBILEE: Alison dos Santos won World Cup gold and the Diamond League final in 2022. Since then, it has been rather quiet from the Brazilian, who makes her season debut in the 400 meter hurdles on Friday. Photo: Ennio Leanza / AP Now the Dimna runner is getting ready for the duel. – He has seen my races. It’s going to be a battle. That’s actually how sports should be, you shouldn’t know the outcome before the start. It is good to see that he is back, is positive and has self-confidence. Looking for revenge The Norwegian 27-year-old admits that the WC in Eugene was a strain at the press conference, the day before the super duel. Dos Santos won ahead of Rai Benjamin and the surprise Trevor Bassitt. The result for the Norwegian was disappointing after two World Cup gold, Olympic gold and European Championship gold in the previous years. – It was tough to be humble. It felt that way. I had to grow balls just to go there and I wasn’t very well prepared. But I am a competitive person and do not want to “back off”. I will fight for it. I’m not going to lie, when I was in the final, I thought I was going to win. I obviously didn’t do that, I came seventh after trailing for 280 metres, and then I died, hehe, smiles Warholm – and underlines: – I’m not afraid of losing, but I’m very afraid of not making progress. Ten fastest 400 meter hurdles races in history 1. Karsten Warholm, 45.94 seconds in Tokyo, 2021* 2. Rai Benjamin, 46.17 in Tokyo, 2021 3. Alison Dos Santos, 46.29 in Eugene, 2022 4. Karsten Warholm, 46.52 in Oslo, 2023 5. Rai Benjamin, 46.62 in Eugene, 2023 6. Karsten Warholm, 46.70 in Oslo, 2021* 7. Alison Dos Santos, 46.72 in Tokyo, 2021 8. Karsten Warholm, 46.76 at Jessheim, 2023 9. Kevin Young, 46.78 in Barcelona, 1992* 10. Alison Dos Santos, 46.80 in Stockholm, 2022 * World record run PS! Rai Benjamin was actually registered to vote in Monaco, but withdrew a couple of days beforehand. None of the “big three” have met for a duel so far in 2023. Karsten Warholm and Alison dos Santos will meet in the first rehearsal of the Diamond League vote, which will be broadcast on NRK1 from 19.55 on Friday 21 July.
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Warholm felt humble – now he gets a clear message from his rival – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
