Rai Benjamin achieved his first global title, overcoming rival Karsten Warholm in the Olympic 400m hurdles final after three previous silver medals and a bronze.
After being beaten by Warholm in the 2019 world championship final, Benjamin finally emerged victorious five years later.
The 27-year-old son of former West Indian cricketer Winston Benjamin put an end to his reputation as a runner-up, breaking free from Warholm’s dominance in major finals.
Benjamin had finished second to Warholm on three significant occasions, including the 2019 and 2023 world championships. He then set a new world record in the Tokyo Olympics but still finished behind the Norwegian.
Benjamin, who switched from Antigua and Barbuda to the United States before the 2019 world championships, understood that his athletic journey would have challenges.
“The grass is never greener,” he mentioned in an interview with Olympic.com last year.
“No matter how prepared you are, there’s always something that’s going to pop up, and it’s how you deal with those obstacles that define you as an athlete.”
The political science graduate from New York attributed much of his success to his single mother, Jeanette Mason, who raised him after they returned from Antigua.
“My mum has been there every step of the way,” he shared.
Mason recalled recognizing her son’s potential from an early age.
“You speak life into your child—dreams, aspirations,” she said in an interview with Rockland/Westchester News in July.
Although she briefly worried about him having ADHD, she always hoped he would find an outlet for his energy.
Despite admiring West Indian cricketer Brian Lara, Benjamin didn’t excel at cricket, so he turned to track and field, which has provided him with a fulfilling lifestyle.
– ‘Fall into success’ –
When not competing, Benjamin enjoys a simple routine and making time for hobbies like biking and playing video games.
He emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence and perfection, believing that falling into success is all part of the journey.
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