Record-Breaking Run
At the Diamond League meeting in Zurich on Thursday, Brazil's Alison dos Santos shattered the men's 400m hurdles world record with a time of 45.80 seconds. The 26-year-old eclipsed the previous standard of 45.94, which was set by Norway's Karsten Warholm during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Dos Santos, who had not lost in the event all season, powered ahead over the final 100 meters to claim the record.[S1][S2][S3]
Warholm, competing in the same race, finished second in 46.69 seconds, while Nigeria's Ezekiel Nathaniel took third with a time of 47.50. Dos Santos's performance also established new Diamond League and meeting records, and he became the first athlete to dip under 46 seconds in the event. His previous personal best was 46.29, achieved in 2022.[S1][S3][S6]
Dominant Season
Dos Santos has been in outstanding form throughout the season, winning all five of his encounters with Warholm. His triumph in Zurich was the culmination of a remarkable campaign, with the Diamond League Final in Brussels still to come. He entered the race holding the world lead of 46.63, which he had set in Silesia just four days earlier.[S2][S4]
The Brazilian's triumph adds to his impressive resume, which includes gold at the 2022 World Championships, silver in 2025, and Olympic bronze in both 2021 and 2024. He now joins Warholm and American Rai Benjamin as the only men to have run under 46 seconds, with the trio owning the 34 fastest times in history.[S1][S2]
Other Highlights
In the women's 100m, Olympic champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia ran a personal best of 10.70 seconds to edge out American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in a photo finish, handing her first defeat since the Paris Olympics. Jefferson-Wooden also clocked 10.70, while Sha'Carri Richardson was third in 10.97.[S1][S2]
The trio is expected to meet again at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, scheduled for September 11-13. Dos Santos's record-breaking run was a standout moment of an evening that also saw potential record attempts in the 800m and pole vault.[S1][S5]
