Karsten Warholm’s races are incredible, with many track-and-field aspirants trying to dissect the way he attacks hurdles like a Viking in a sprint. And yes, how can we forget his signature roar at the finish line and that world-record-shattering 45.94-second run in Tokyo that redefined human limits?

But Karsten’s journey hasn’t been all gold medals and glory. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he faced a bittersweet moment—a silver medal after a heart-stopping 400m hurdles final where rival Rai Benjamin edged him out by 0.6 seconds. For a competitor like Warholm, who always eyes gold, it was a humbling reminder that even giants stumble. But here’s the twist: setbacks like these don’t break him. They fuel him. And if you ask where that fire comes from, look no further than the quiet, steady influence of his parents: Mikal Warholm and Kristine Haddal. So, read through to know more about Karsten’s parents, who are his biggest bolster.

Who is Karsten Warholm’s Father?

Mikal Warholm, Karsten’s dad, grew up in the same tiny coastal town of Ulsteinvik, Norway, where Karsten was born. Back in his day, Mikal was all about football. He wasn’t just kicking a ball around for fun; he played it seriously. And we can say that it is the same gene which has the passion for sports that he passed straight to his son. 

Back when Karsten was a kid, he wasn’t laser-focused on hurdles. Yes, he started as a speedy striker on his local football team and tried to keep up with the legacy of his father. And on Mikal’s end, he didn’t push him to specialize early. Instead, he let Karsten explore sports, whether it was football, handball, or eventually track. He wasn’t the type to hover or give pep talks, but his quiet support and athletic background gave Karsten that early foundation. And when Karsten smashed his world record in Tokyo, Mikal wasn’t even there. He stayed home in Ulsteinvik, watching on TV. Mikal’s behavior clearly shows he is not into pep talks but loves cheering his son from the back.

Who is Karsten Warholm’s Mother?

If Mikal is the calm, steady force, Kristine Haddal is the engine keeping everything running. She’s not just Karsten’s mom—she’s his manager, too. But her identity lies beyond Karsten’s mom. She’s also a former athlete herself.

And when it comes to Kristine, she didn’t just pack Karsten’s lunch for practice. She handled everything on his behalf, be it sponsorship deals, training schedules, and the motherly care of preparing meals for him. Back in 2017, when Karsten won his first World Championship title, Kristine was the one vetting sponsors and saying stuff like, “We don’t just work with anyone.” Yes, she is picky, and for good reason. In short, she has taken up the job to protect Karsten’s focus so he can keep obliterating hurdles.

What is Karsten Warholm’s Parents’ Nationality?

Karsten is 100% Norwegian. While he has shifted to Oslo now, both his parents were born and raised in Norway. And they both live in Ulsteinvik, a small town with fjords, mountains, and about 7,000 people. When it comes to Karsten, he shows every bit of his Norwegian culture, which is all about community and teamwork. This can be seen in his long-standing association with his hometown club, Dimna IL. While he has gained global fame, he still represents and trains with the club that nurtured his talent in its nascent stage. 

Now, Karsten is already eyeballing the Diamond League, and if you follow him on Instagram, you can get a glimpse of his hurdle drills. But through it all, Mikal and Kristine are still his anchors.