Dos Santos breaks 400m hurdles world record in Zurich

Alison dos Santos of Brazil has set a new world record in the men’s 400-meter hurdles at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Zurich. The 23-year-old Brazilian ran a time of 45.80 seconds on Thursday, surpassing the previous record held by Norway’s Karsten Warholm, who ran 45.94 seconds in 2021. Dos Santos’ performance marks the first time the world record has been broken in this event since Warholm’s record-breaking run nearly three years ago.

The race took place at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, a venue known for hosting high-level athletics competitions. Dos Santos, who won gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, delivered a dominant performance, crossing the line well ahead of his competitors. His time of 45.80 seconds makes him the first man in history to run under 46 seconds in the event.

“I’m still in shock,” dos Santos said after the race. “This was a big dream for me, and I worked so hard to achieve it. Breaking a world record is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid.”

Dos Santos’ victory in Zurich adds to his growing reputation as one of the world’s top hurdlers. He had earlier won the Diamond League title in the 400m hurdles this season and now holds the world record at just 23 years old. His record-breaking run has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest names in athletics history.

The previous world record was set by Warholm during a highly competitive period in the event. Dos Santos’ achievement signals a changing of the guard in men’s 400m hurdles, with a new generation of athletes pushing the boundaries of performance.

World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, has yet to officially ratify the record, though the timing and conditions of the race were consistent with record-eligible standards. The organization is expected to confirm the record in the coming days.

Dos Santos’ record-breaking performance in Zurich has set a new benchmark in men’s 400m hurdles and has sparked excitement in the athletics world. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if he can defend his title and continue his dominance in the event.

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