Karsten Warholm (26) reports he’s ready for the 400m hurdles during the IAAF World Championships in Eugene, and says the latest test was promising.
– If I go back to the old VG clippings, I probably never promised to get World Cup gold, and certainly don’t intend to start now. It’s more challenging than it’s ever been, it’s at least safe for steaks, Warholm tells VG when asked if the shape is good enough to win another World Cup gold.
The Norwegian sustained an injury to the back of his right thigh during the season opener in Morocco on June 5, and since then has worked hard to prepare.
Only during a press conference on Wednesday with Norwegian sponsor Puma did he confirm that he is competing in this year’s championship.
Before making the final decision, the Olympic winner took a test where he gave a full stick, to see if there was any point in competing in the World Cup. She gave positive answers, the 26-year-old told VG.
– What was probably the biggest acid test was actually the transition from the block to the first hedge. There I can say I’m back at the same times I used to be. Warholm says it’s very well done and continues:
The speed is there, we were able to measure that. The fact that it went so well means that I can carry on with the quality I demand of myself without having any acquaintances. Then there will always be reservations about the fact that things can happen in sports. But the fact that it went so well means that I feel I was able to complete the last crucial session with the quality needed to be able to start getting something to do there.
But even if the latest test is promising, healthy lubrication highlights a potentially uncertain moment.
– I didn’t run the 400m hurdles this year, so it will be interesting for all of us to keep the full distance. But we are ready for the challenge.
Warholm starts the World Cup on July 16 with qualification. He then waits for the semi-finals 17 before a possible final takes place on the night of July 20, Norwegian time.
During the press conference at the equipment supplier, he was aware that the period after his injury was difficult.
“The past five or six weeks have been close to hell, they’ve been tough,” Warholm said from the podium.
To get rid of the injury, Warholm was treated, among other things, by German star doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wolfart. To VG, Warholm explains what the past period was like.
– All the help I received, both from Germany and from the Olympic summit, and especially from Harvard Moxness, was very exceptional. But for me and Leif (Olav Alnes) I think it was a physical and mental ordeal we’d rather be without. It wasn’t nice. It was really embarrassing, and I won’t hide it.
But in the familiar style of the Warholm and Alnes duo, times and results aren’t always the most important:
“At the same time, it’s a challenge, and I feel we’ve taken on that challenge, and that’s the most important thing,” concludes Warholm.
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