Brazilian athletics star Alison dos Santos has completed an extraordinary 2026 season, breaking the world record in the 400m hurdles and winning seven Diamond League races.
The 26-year-old also claimed victory at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, establishing himself as the leading performer in his discipline.
Despite these achievements, Dos Santos believes he has considerable room for improvement and hopes to push the boundaries of human speed even further.
A World Record That Changed Everything
On 27 August 2026, Dos Santos delivered a historic performance at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich.
He completed the 400m hurdles in 45.80 seconds, breaking the previous world record of 45.94 set by Norway's Karsten Warholm at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The achievement followed months of exceptional performances, including victories in Shaoxing, Xiamen, Stockholm and Oslo.
Dos Santos also improved his personal best over the flat 400m to 44.38 seconds in April, demonstrating remarkable speed beyond his specialist event.
His success reflects years of technical development and increasingly sophisticated training.
The Secret Behind His Incredible Speed
Although his performances have improved dramatically, Dos Santos has maintained the same basic stride pattern between hurdles. He takes 13 strides between the opening barriers, switches to 12 until the sixth hurdle and then returns to 13 for the remainder of the race. The difference lies in his increased strength, speed and physical maturity.
Working with coach Felipe de Siqueira for nine years, the Brazilian has gradually developed the power required to sustain exceptional speed throughout demanding races. Dos Santos believes his current world record remains far from the ultimate limit of his abilities.
A Thrilling Victory In Budapest
September brought another unforgettable achievement at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
Facing Olympic champion Rai Benjamin and former world record-holder Karsten Warholm, Dos Santos won the 400m hurdles final in 45.98 seconds.
Benjamin finished second in 46.40, while Warholm secured third place in 46.78. The winning performance was the third-fastest in history. After a closely contested opening 300 metres, Dos Santos accelerated down the finishing straight to secure victory. His achievement earned him the championship title and a $150,000 prize.
From Judo To Athletics Glory
Dos Santos did not originally dream of becoming a professional runner. He practised judo between the ages of six and 14 but eventually switched sports because his family struggled with training expenses. Athletics offered greater opportunities to compete and potentially earn money. What began as a practical decision gradually developed into a passion. He later moved from São Joaquim da Barra to São Paulo, where he joined the Pinheiros athletics club and began working towards an international career.
What Comes After A Perfect Season?
Following his Budapest triumph, Dos Santos continued competing at the South American Games in Argentina, winning the flat 400m in a Games record of 44.61 seconds. However, rather than immediately concentrating on future competitions, he has expressed a desire to enjoy his achievements and recover from an exhausting season.
For the Brazilian, maintaining enthusiasm and appreciating success are essential parts of a sustainable career.
With a world record, major championship victories and renewed confidence, Dos Santos has demonstrated extraordinary progress. His ambition to run even faster suggests that the 400m hurdles could witness further remarkable performances in the years ahead.
