Olympic gold medalist Rai Benjamin

 Rai Benjamin son of farmer international cricketer Winston Benjamin--

Rai Benjamin, born on July 27, 1997, in Mount Vernon, New York, is an acclaimed American hurdler and sprinter specialising in the 400-meter hurdles. He is the son of Winston Benjamin, a former West Indies international cricketer from Antigua and Barbuda, and Jeanette Mason.

Rai's athletic journey began with a diverse sporting background, including American football, before he honed his focus on track and field. He attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he made significant strides in hurdling and sprinting. In 2018, while at USC, he contributed to setting a world best time in the indoor 4x400-meter relay, clocking 3:00.77. That same year, he ran the 400-meter hurdles in 47.02 seconds, which was the second-fastest time globally at that point.

Benjamin's international career is marked by remarkable achievements. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he secured a silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles and a gold medal as part of the U.S. 4x400-meter relay team. He continued his success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning gold in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400-meter relay. His personal best in the 400-meter hurdles stands at 46.17 seconds, making him the second-fastest man in history for this event.

Rai's father, Winston Benjamin, had an illustrious cricket career, playing 21 Test matches and 85 One Day Internationals for the West Indies between 1986 and 1995. Despite his cricketing background, Winston supported Rai's passion for track and field, allowing him the freedom to pursue his interests. Reflecting on his son's Olympic triumphs, Winston expressed immense pride, acknowledging the dedication and hard work Rai invested in his athletic pursuits.

Beyond his athletic endeavours, Rai co-hosts a podcast titled "Beyond the Records" with fellow athletes Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway, launched in December 2024. He is also an avid cyclist, often seen riding around Los Angeles and to his training sessions at UCLA.

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