by Deji Ogeyingbo
The Big Three of Men’s 400m Hurdles: A Showdown for the Ages in Paris
When we mention the “Big Three” in men’s 400m hurdles, we’re talking about an elite trio that has dominated the event, securing seven of the last nine global medals: Olympic champion Karsten Warholm, 2022 World champion Alison dos Santos, and 2024 world leader Rai Benjamin. This season, each has delivered multiple sub-47-second performances, proving their readiness for a showdown. Their latest head-to-head in Monaco saw Benjamin emerge victorious, yet he remains the only one without an individual gold medal.
The last time out in Tokyo was special as Warholm became the first man to run under 46s in the event. It was a truly special spectacle and three years later, we might just see the newly laid purple track of the Stade de France.
Determining a true favorite in this fiercely competitive field is nearly impossible. Benjamin, with his undefeated streak this season, has shown he can outpace Warholm, who has himself bested Dos Santos, who in turn has defeated Warholm earlier in the year. Despite his success, Benjamin has primarily raced within the U.S. this season and only managed a third-place finish in Budapest last year. As these three powerhouses effortlessly progress through the early rounds, the final itself will be the ultimate test of who is truly the fittest.
Benjamin’s quest for his first individual Gold medal continues to drive him. His triumph over Warholm and Dos Santos in Monaco underscores his potential. Maybe it even gives him a bit of a nudge ahead of the three, but his closing speed is one of the great attributes that makes him better than his rivals.
Despite his world-leading times, Benjamin’s history indicates that capturing gold requires overcoming significant challenges. The Paris Olympics represents a crucial opportunity for him to finally secure the top spot on the podium.
Warholm, renowned for his explosive speed and unparalleled endurance, remains a formidable force. His past victories and recent performances position him as a strong contender for defending his Olympic title. Although he has proved vulnerable this year already with losses over 400m at the world indoors and to Dos Santos on home soil.
Dos Santos, for his part , is a strategic mastermind and 2022 World champion as he continues to be a key player in this elite group. His consistent performances and ability to adapt make him a constant threat. Last year wasn’t all that great for him as he went into the world championships in Budapest in not-to-great shape as he finished outside of the medal zone. So far this year, he has won all his races, bar the loss in Monaco to his rivals.
Beyond the big three, a few other athletes are making waves. USA’s Trevor Bassitt and Kyron McMaster from the British Virgin Islands have each garnered medals at the last two world championships and are having strong seasons. However, their current performances suggest they might not yet pose a significant threat to the leading trio.
Meanwhile, Jamaicans Roshawn Clarke and Malik James-King have posted impressive mid-47 second times. Yet, without a dramatic improvement or a misstep from the top contenders, their chances of reaching the podium remain slim. It’s sports we just might never know.
One thing is for certain, we are going to witness a big show over this distance in Paris.
