PHOTO: Bildbyrån
A year ago he was told that he could not run hurdles all summer due to a thigh injury.
Now he stands with a Swedish flag over his shoulders as a recent EC bronze medalist in the 400 meter hurdles – and as a Swedish record holder.
– It feels incredibly good, says Carl Bengtström.
He improved his personal best by 57 hundredths and cleared Sven Nylanders Swedish record from the Olympics in Atlanta 1996 by four hundredths to 47.94.
– It is an EC bronze but above all a Swedish record. The record has been talked about since I broke through a few years ago. Mostly from the outside, but we have also thought that it is possible to beat that record, says Carl Bengtstrom.
– You need a good race and I got that today and then it went fast, he says.
He says he already knew when he set a personal best in late April, undertrained and in the rain, that better times could be reached.
– I knew that there is something big going on if I get everything done. Now it was a championship final with perfect back and optimal conditions and good pressure in the stands – that was what was needed.
The words about Warholm
The perfect back belongs to the world record holder Karsten Warholm from Norway. Of course he won the race.
– I knew that he would whiz past at some point and that then I just had to try to go along. I had a good hold on him in the second corner and that did a lot – gave me motivation and fighting spirit to go “all in” the last hurdles.
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To a question from a Norwegian journalist if he can beat Warholm someday, Bengtström answers:
– It will probably take a lot. It is the world record holder. I am incredibly grateful to compete against him, he has helped me a lot to lower my own times.
Do you get psyched when he runs past early?
– Well, maybe it’s a bit humiliating, but at the same time he does it to everyone in the whole world. I see it as an opportunity to help.
“It can inspire”
Exactly one year ago, says Bengtström, he was informed by doctors that he would not be able to run over hurdles for the entire summer season due to an injury in the back of his thigh.
– Many athletes have shown that they were able to come back stronger after something like that, and now you stand here a year later with a Swedish record. I hope it can inspire others to keep working and it will work out.
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He says he might someday run a season without hurdles.
– I don’t rule it out, but when I have flow in the hedge, I will continue with it.
READ MORE: Armand Duplanti’s unexpected criticism in the middle of the EC – against the decision that was praised by just about everyone: “It’s problematic”
He is ready for the Olympics in Paris and hopes that earlier this summer he will be able to go to Paris and compete in the Diamond League gala.
– I want to feel the atmosphere. Then there is full focus on the Olympics, which is the big goal of the summer.
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About Carl Bengtström:
Born: January 13, 2000.
Club: Ear stew.
Branch: 400 meter hurdles.
Merits: EC bronze 400m hurdles 2024, indoor WC bronze 400m 2022, indoor EC bronze 400m 2023. Broke the 28-year-old Swedish 400m hurdles record with 47.94 in EC 2024.
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