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Rai Benjamin

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Rai Benjamin

Rai Benjamin (born July 27, 1997) is an American hurdler and sprinter specializing in the 400 m and 400 m hurdles. He is the second fastest man in history in the 400 m hurdles with a personal best time of 46.17 s. He won a silver medal at his first Olympic Games in 2021 and won the 400 m hurdles race at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Benjamin also won silver medals and at the World Championships in 2019 and 2022 in the men's 400 m hurdles, and gold medals in the 4 × 400 m relay in 2019 and 2021. In college, Benjamin ran for the UCLA Bruins and then the USC Trojans, where in early 2018 he was part of the team that set the world best time in the indoor 4 × 400 m relay with a time of 3:00.77. At the time, his relay split time of 44.35 s was the fastest ever recorded in an indoor race. In June of the same year he also helped set the NCAA record in the same event but outdoors, and ran what was at the time the second fastest 400 m hurdles race of all time in 47.02 s.

Infobox

Born
(1997-07-27) July 27, 1997 (age 28)Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Height
6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight
170 lb (77 kg)
Country
United States
Sport
Track and field
Event(s)
Hurdling, sprinting
College team
USC Trojans (2017, 2018)UCLA Bruins (2016)
Team
Nike
Turned pro
2018
Coached by
Joanna HayesQuincy WattsCaryl Smith-Gilbert
World finals
2025 Tokyo400 m hurdles, Gold2019 Doha400 m hurdles, Silver2022 Eugene400 m hurdles, Silver2023 Budapest400 m hurdles, Bronze
Olympic finals
mw- 2020 Tokyo400 m hurdles, Silver2024 Paris400 m hurdles, Gold
Personal bests
400 m hurdles: 46.17 AR (Tokyo 2021)400 m: 44.21 (Los Angeles 2023)200 m: 19.99 (Paris 2018)100 m: 10.03 (Fort Worth 2020)Indoors400 m: 45.39i (Staten Island 2021)200 m: 20.34i NR[note 1] (College Station 2018)

Tables

· Achievements › Personal bests
Outdoor
Outdoor
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.17
Venue
Tokyo, Japan
Date
August 3, 2021
Notes
North American record, 2nd all time
400 m
400 m
Event
44.21
Time
Los Angeles, United States
Venue
April 8, 2023
200 m
200 m
Event
19.99
Time
Paris, France
Venue
June 30, 2018
Date
(−0.6 m/s wind)
100 m
100 m
Event
10.03
Time
Fort Worth, United States
Venue
July 20, 2020
Date
(+1.6 m/s wind)
4 × 400 m relay
4 × 400 m relay
Event
2:55.70
Time
Tokyo, Japan
Venue
August 7, 2021
Date
2021 world lead
Indoor
Indoor
Event
400 m
Time
45.39
Venue
New York, United States
Date
February 13, 2021
300 m
300 m
Event
32.21
Time
Boston, Massachusetts
Venue
February 2, 2025
200 m
200 m
Event
20.34
Time
College Station, United States
Venue
March 10, 2018
Date
NR
4 × 400 m relay
4 × 400 m relay
Event
3:00.77
Time
College Station, United States
Venue
March 10, 2018
Date
World best
Surface
Event
Time
Venue
Date
Notes
Outdoor
400 m hurdles
46.17
Tokyo, Japan
August 3, 2021
North American record, 2nd all time
400 m
44.21
Los Angeles, United States
April 8, 2023
200 m
19.99
Paris, France
June 30, 2018
s wind)
100 m
10.03
Fort Worth, United States
July 20, 2020
s wind)
4 × 400 m relay
2:55.70
Tokyo, Japan
August 7, 2021
2021 world lead
Indoor
400 m
45.39
New York, United States
February 13, 2021
300 m
32.21
Boston, Massachusetts
February 2, 2025
200 m
20.34
College Station, United States
March 10, 2018
NR
4 × 400 m relay
3:00.77
College Station, United States
March 10, 2018
World best
· Achievements › International competitions
Representing  Antigua and Barbuda
Representing  Antigua and Barbuda
Year
Representing  Antigua and Barbuda
2013
2013
Year
2013
Competition
World Youth Championships
Venue
Donetsk, Ukraine
Position
15th
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
52.36
2015
2015
Year
2015
Competition
CARIFTA Games (U20)
Venue
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Position
2nd
Event
400 m
Time
46.19
Notes
PB
World Relays
World Relays
Year
World Relays
Competition
Nassau, Bahamas
Venue
– (h)
Position
4 × 200 m relay
Event
DNF
Representing the  United States
Representing the  United States
Year
Representing the  United States
2019
2019
Year
2019
Competition
World Championships
Venue
Doha, Qatar
Position
2nd
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
47.66
1st
1st
Year
1st
Competition
4 × 400 m relay
Venue
2:56.69
Position
WL PB
2021
2021
Year
2021
Competition
Olympic Games
Venue
Tokyo, Japan
Position
2nd
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.17
Notes
PB AR, 2nd all time
1st
1st
Year
1st
Competition
4 × 400 m relay
Venue
2:55.70
Position
SB
2022
2022
Year
2022
Competition
World Championships
Venue
Eugene, United States
Position
2nd
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.89
2023
2023
Year
2023
Competition
World Championships
Venue
Budapest, Hungary
Position
3rd
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
47.56
1st
1st
Year
1st
Competition
4 × 400 m relay
Venue
2:57.31
Position
WL
2024
2024
Year
2024
Competition
Olympic Games
Venue
Paris, France
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.46
1st
1st
Year
1st
Competition
4 × 400 m relay
Venue
2:54.43
Position
OR
2025
2025
Year
2025
Competition
World Championships
Venue
Tokyo, Japan
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.52
2nd
2nd
Year
2nd
Competition
4 × 400 m relay
Venue
2:57.83
Year
Competition
Venue
Position
Event
Time
Notes
Representing Antigua and Barbuda
2013
World Youth Championships
Donetsk, Ukraine
15th
400 m hurdles
52.36
2015
CARIFTA Games (U20)
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
2nd
400 m
46.19
PB
World Relays
Nassau, Bahamas
– (h)
4 × 200 m relay
DNF
Representing the United States
2019
World Championships
Doha, Qatar
2nd
400 m hurdles
47.66
1st
4 × 400 m relay
2:56.69
WL PB
2021
Olympic Games
Tokyo, Japan
2nd
400 m hurdles
46.17
PB AR, 2nd all time
1st
4 × 400 m relay
2:55.70
SB
2022
World Championships
Eugene, United States
2nd
400 m hurdles
46.89
2023
World Championships
Budapest, Hungary
3rd
400 m hurdles
47.56
1st
4 × 400 m relay
2:57.31
WL
2024
Olympic Games
Paris, France
1st
400 m hurdles
46.46
1st
4 × 400 m relay
2:54.43
OR
2025
World Championships
Tokyo, Japan
1st
400 m hurdles
46.52
2nd
4 × 400 m relay
2:57.83
Representing the UCLA Bruins (2016–2017), the USC Trojans (2018), and Nike (2019–) · Achievements › National championships
2016
2016
Year
2016
Competition
NCAA Division I Championships
Venue
Eugene, Oregon
Position
6th
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
49.82
Notes
PB
2017
2017
Year
2017
Competition
NCAA Division I Championships
Venue
Eugene, Oregon
Position
2nd
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
48.33
Notes
PB
22nd
22nd
Year
22nd
Competition
4 × 100 m relay
Venue
39.89
2018
2018
Year
2018
Competition
NCAA Division I Indoor Championships
Venue
College Station, Texas
Position
3rd
Event
200 m
Time
20.34
Notes
PB
1st
1st
Year
1st
Competition
4 × 400 m relay
Venue
3:00.77
Position
WB
NCAA Division I Championships
NCAA Division I Championships
Year
NCAA Division I Championships
Competition
Eugene, Oregon
Venue
1st
Position
400 m hurdles
Event
47.02
Time
WL PB CR
1st
1st
Year
1st
Competition
4 × 400 m relay
Venue
2:59.00
Position
PB CR
2019
2019
Year
2019
Competition
USATF Championships
Venue
Des Moines, Iowa
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
47.23
2021
2021
Year
2021
Competition
U.S. Olympic Trials
Venue
Eugene, Oregon
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.83
Notes
WL PB MR, 3rd all time
2022
2022
Year
2022
Competition
USATF Championships
Venue
Eugene, Oregon
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
47.04
2023
2023
Year
2023
Competition
USATF Championships
Venue
Eugene, Oregon
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.62
2024
2024
Year
2024
Competition
U.S. Olympic Trials
Venue
Eugene, Oregon
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.46
Notes
WL MR
2025
2025
Year
2025
Competition
USATF Championships
Venue
Eugene, Oregon
Position
1st
Event
400 m hurdles
Time
46.89
Year
Competition
Venue
Position
Event
Time
Notes
2016
NCAA Division I Championships
Eugene, Oregon
6th
400 m hurdles
49.82
PB
2017
NCAA Division I Championships
Eugene, Oregon
2nd
400 m hurdles
48.33
PB
22nd
4 × 100 m relay
39.89
2018
NCAA Division I Indoor Championships
College Station, Texas
3rd
200 m
20.34
PB
1st
4 × 400 m relay
3:00.77
WB
NCAA Division I Championships
Eugene, Oregon
1st
400 m hurdles
47.02
WL PB CR
1st
4 × 400 m relay
2:59.00
PB CR
2019
USATF Championships
Des Moines, Iowa
1st
400 m hurdles
47.23
2021
Olympic Trials
Eugene, Oregon
1st
400 m hurdles
46.83
WL PB MR, 3rd all time
2022
USATF Championships
Eugene, Oregon
1st
400 m hurdles
47.04
2023
USATF Championships
Eugene, Oregon
1st
400 m hurdles
46.62
2024
Olympic Trials
Eugene, Oregon
1st
400 m hurdles
46.46
WL MR
2025
USATF Championships
Eugene, Oregon
1st
400 m hurdles
46.89
· Achievements › Seasonal bests
2013
2013
Year
2013
400 m hurdles
53.95
400 m
49.55
200 m
22.38
2014
2014
Year
2014
400 m hurdles
51.86
400 m
47.17
200 m
20.88
2015
2015
Year
2015
400 m hurdles
49.97
400 m
46.19
200 m
21.09
2016
2016
Year
2016
400 m hurdles
49.82
400 m
47.57
200 m
21.17
2017
2017
Year
2017
400 m hurdles
48.33
400 m
45.72
200 m
20.64
2018
2018
Year
2018
400 m hurdles
47.02
400 m
44.74
200 m
19.99
2019
2019
Year
2019
400 m hurdles
46.98
400 m
44.31
200 m
—
2020
2020
Year
2020
400 m hurdles
—
2021
2021
Year
2021
400 m hurdles
46.17
400 m
44.97
200 m
20.16
2022
2022
Year
2022
400 m hurdles
46.89
400 m
—
200 m
20.01
2023
2023
Year
2023
400 m hurdles
46.39
400 m
44.21
200 m
—
2024
2024
Year
2024
400 m hurdles
46.64
400 m
44.42
200 m
—
2025
2025
Year
2025
400 m hurdles
46.54
400 m
—
200 m
—
Year
400 m hurdles
400 m
200 m
2013
53.95
49.55
22.38
2014
51.86
47.17
20.88
2015
49.97
46.19
21.09
2016
49.82
47.57
21.17
2017
48.33
45.72
20.64
2018
47.02
44.74
19.99
2019
46.98
44.31
—
2020
—
2021
46.17
44.97
20.16
2022
46.89
—
20.01
2023
46.39
44.21
—
2024
46.64
44.42
—
2025
46.54
—
—
· Achievements › College career
Representing the University of Southern California
Representing the University of Southern California
Year
Representing the University of Southern California
2018
2018
Year
2018
NCAAIndoor
200 m 3rd20.34
Pac-12 ConferenceOutdoor
400 m hurdles 1st48.46
NCAA Division IOutdoor track and field
400 m hurdles 1st47.02 CR
400 m 1st45.94
400 m 1st45.94
Year
400 m 1st45.94
Mountain Pacific Sports FederationIndoor track and field
4 × 400 m relay 1st3:00.77 CR
NCAAIndoor
4 × 100 m relay 1st39.38
Pac-12 ConferenceOutdoor
4 × 400 m relay 1st2:59.00
2017
2017
Year
2017
Mountain Pacific Sports FederationIndoor track and field
4 × 400 m relay 5th3:12.50
Pac-12 ConferenceOutdoor
4 × 400 m relay 4th3:09.39
NCAA Division IOutdoor track and field
4 × 100 m relay 22nd39.89
400 6th47.06
400 6th47.06
Year
400 6th47.06
NCAAIndoor
400 m hurdles 1st49.52
Pac-12 ConferenceOutdoor
400 m hurdles 2nd48.33
200 m 3rd21.09
200 m 3rd21.09
Year
200 m 3rd21.09
Representing the University of California, Los Angeles
Representing the University of California, Los Angeles
Year
Representing the University of California, Los Angeles
2016
2016
Year
2016
Mountain Pacific Sports FederationIndoor track and field
400 m 7th47.57
Pac-12 ConferenceOutdoor
400 m hurdles52.21
NCAA Division IOutdoor track and field
400 m hurdles 6th49.82
Year
Mountain Pacific Sports FederationIndoor track and field
NCAAIndoor
Pac-12 ConferenceOutdoor
NCAA Division IOutdoor track and field
Representing the University of Southern California
2018
200 m 3rd20.34
400 m hurdles 1st48.46
400 m hurdles 1st47.02 CR
400 m 1st45.94
4 × 400 m relay 1st3:00.77 CR
4 × 100 m relay 1st39.38
4 × 400 m relay 1st2:59.00
2017
4 × 400 m relay 5th3:12.50
4 × 400 m relay 4th3:09.39
4 × 100 m relay 22nd39.89
400 6th47.06
400 m hurdles 1st49.52
400 m hurdles 2nd48.33
200 m 3rd21.09
Representing the University of California, Los Angeles
2016
400 m 7th47.57
400 m hurdles52.21
400 m hurdles 6th49.82
DMR 7th9:34.39
4 × 100 m relay 4th40.22

References

  1. For Antigua and Barbuda
  2. Shared with Zach Shinnick, Ricky Morgan, and Michael Norman for the USC Trojans. Because Rai Benjamin was not cleared to
  3. eurosport.com
    https://www.eurosport.com/athletics/rai-benjamin_prs510040/person.shtml
  4. milesplit.com
    https://www.milesplit.com/articles/249008/rai-benjamin-cleared-to-compete-for-the-us
  5. trackandfieldnews.com
    https://trackandfieldnews.com/new-flag-new-beginning-for-rai-benjamin/
  6. flotrack.org
    https://www.flotrack.org/articles/6213487-rai-benjamin-is-now-a-nike-athlete
  7. iaaf.org
    https://www.iaaf.org/news/feature/michael-norman-rai-benjamin-diamond-league
  8. nbcsports.com
    https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/06/30/abderrahman-samba-400-hurdles-video-paris-diamond-league/
  9. World Athletics
    https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/rai-benjamin-14574865
  10. deadspin.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210117164850/https://screengrabber.deadspin.com/rai-benjamin-runs-47-02-400m-hurdles-tied-for-second-f-1826687780
  11. "400m hurdles (84.0 cm) Boys semi-final results"
    https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-u18-championships/8th-iaaf-world-youth-championships-4874/men/400m-hurdles-840cm/semi-final/summary
  12. track ucla mount vernon rai benjamin
    https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/high-school/track/2015/07/02/track-ucla-mount-vernon-rai-benjamin-hurdles/29594771/
  13. "Transfer of Allegiance"
    https://www.iaaf.org/about-iaaf/documents/transfer-of-allegiance
  14. "2018 Paris Diamond League 200 m"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180702093620/https://paris.diamondleague.com/en/programme-results/programme-2018-results/#baseFrame
  15. "200 Metres - men - senior - outdoor"
    https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/sprints/200-metres/outdoor/men/senior?regionType=world&timing=electronic&windReading=regular&page=1&bestResultsOnly=true&firstDay=1899-12-31&lastDay=2018-07-01
  16. "400 Metres - men - senior - outdoor"
    https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/sprints/400-metres/outdoor/men/senior?regionType=world&timing=electronic&page=1&bestResultsOnly=true&firstDay=1899-12-31&lastDay=2019-05-01
  17. "400 Metres - men - senior - outdoor"
    https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/sprints/400-metres/outdoor/men/senior?regionType=world&timing=electronic&page=1&bestResultsOnly=true&firstDay=1899-12-31&lastDay=2020-03-07
  18. sportsmax.tv
    https://web.archive.org/web/20191017090952/https://www.sportsmax.tv/index.php/athletics/item/20037-antiguan-star-athlete-switches-allegiance-to-usa
  19. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@beyondtherecordspodcast
  20. usatoday.com
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2018/03/10/world-collegiate-records-highlight-ncaa-indoor-track-and-field-championships/414025002/
  21. tfrrs.org
    https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/5640101
  22. tfrrs.org
    https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/6597043
  23. Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS)
    https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/6597043/USC/Rai_Benjamin.html
  24. Rai Benjamin USC profile University of Southern California. June 30, 2018
    https://usctrojans.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7256
  25. Rai Benjamin UCLA track results TFRRS. June 30, 2018
    https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/5640101/UCLA/Rai_Benjamin.html
  26. Rai Benjamin UCLA profile University of California Los Angeles. June 30, 2018
    http://uclabruins.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5163
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