Alison dos Santos Breaks 400m Hurdles World Record, Sets Sights on Budapest Showdown

Brazilian hurdler Alison dos Santos told his coach Felipe de Siqueira to be in the stands at a meet in Zurich two weeks ago, convinced he was poised for something extraordinary. The 400m hurdles specialist delivered exactly that, winning in 45.80 seconds and eclipsing the previous world record of 45.94 held by Norway’s Karsten Warholm.

Dos Santos found his coach afterward in an emotional scene, with de Siqueira reduced to tears. The pair has worked together for nine years, since dos Santos left his hometown of São Joaquim da Barra for São Paulo as a developing athlete.

The Brazilian’s résumé already included Olympic bronze medals in 2021 and 2024 — both times finishing behind Warholm and American Rai Benjamin — plus a world title in 2022. But 2026 marks his first truly dominant campaign: seven victories in seven races heading into this weekend’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

Budapest Rematch Looms

The Ultimate Championship, running Sept. 11-13 and airing on NBC Sports and Peacock, will feature the first 2026 meeting between dos Santos, Warholm, and Benjamin. Benjamin spent much of the season competing in the open 400m rather than the hurdles.

Dos Santos made clear his ambitions extend beyond simply winning in Budapest. “Of course, I’m thinking about breaking the record again,” he said, adding that lowering his own mark is his aim.

Athlete of the Year Case Building

Even without another record, his undefeated season positions him as a candidate for World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year — an honor no South American man has ever claimed. Dos Santos, who now trains under de Siqueira in Clermont, Florida, credited a broad support team including his physiotherapist, family, and coaching staff for the milestone.

The Zurich record adds a marquee track-and-field storyline to the fall sports calendar, one that NBC Sports will carry as part of its Olympics-adjacent coverage. Comcast, NBC Sports’ parent company (CMCSA), saw shares trade at $25.20, up 0.6% from a previous close of $25.05, with a market capitalization of roughly $92.5 billion.

What to watch

• The dos Santos–Warholm–Benjamin head-to-head at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Sept. 11-13.
• Whether dos Santos attempts another record attempt in Budapest, as he has stated is his goal.
• World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year voting later in the year.
• NBC Sports and Peacock viewership for the championship broadcast under Comcast’s media segment.

Source: original release