Olympics: Warholm leads stellar field into 400m hurdles final

PARIS – Defending champion Karsten Warholm cruised into the men’s 400m hurdles final on Wednesday, showcasing his dominance with a commanding victory in his semi-final. The Norwegian, who holds the world record, clocked a time of 47.67 seconds to secure his spot in the final.

Joining Warholm in the final is French sensation Clement Ducos, who secured a surprise second-place finish in his heat, edging out Brazilian Alison dos Santos. The unexpected qualification of Ducos, who trains at the University of Tennessee, ignited a wave of excitement among the home crowd.

American rival Rai Benjamin, the silver medalist from Tokyo, also advanced with ease, winning his semi-final and expressing confidence in his ability to challenge Warholm for the gold.

The final promises to be a thrilling showdown between these top contenders, with Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands, Rasmus Magi of Estonia, and Abderrahman Samba of Qatar also vying for a podium spot.

The world record holder, Warholm, remains the overwhelming favorite, but the unpredictable nature of the event ensures a captivating final.

(Source: AFP)