Warholm, who set a sensational world record of 45.94s when winning Olympic gold in Tokyo last year, has struggled with injury this season and came in seventh in last month’s Eugene worlds.

He proved to be back on form in Munich, timing a championship record of 47.12s for gold to finish well ahead of France’s Wilfried Happio, in 48.56s, and Cuban-born Turk Yasmani Copello (48.78s).

Warholm’s time smashed the previous European best of 47.48s – then a world record – set by West Germany’s Harald Schmid in Athens back in 1982.

“I had a very tough season with injuries, so to be here and to bounce back means the world,” said Warholm.

“I learned that I should have take anything like this for granted. Now I am going to enjoy it even more because it was so tough.

“I hope that I can be injury free and to train at the high level again so you could never count me out again.”

The 26-year-old Norwegian, in lane four, was the dominant racer from the gun, quickly gaining on and then passing France’s Ludvy Vaillant on his outside.

Heading into the final straight almost two seconds up on his rivals, Warholm gritted his teeth and yielded nothing as he surged for the line.

It was a welcome return to form and a warning shot fired at both world champion Alison dos Santos of Brazil and American silver medallist Rai Benjamin, with thoughts now re-focusing on the run-in to the Diamond League season.

Warholm added: “This was one of the last competitions for me this year. I am looking forward to training hard and to competing next year.”

Silver medallist Happio said it had been “great to come here tonight and race with one of the best athletes in the world and against the best in Europe”.

“I am over the moon with this medal. Before coming here I had the best time in Europe, so I thought that I was going to be on the podium.

“Karsten was injured, but I knew he would come back and win here in Munich. For me, I had quite a lot of races this year, so I was a bit tired. But I still achieved a good time.”