Rai Benjamin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rai Benjamin

Benjamin at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene
Personal information
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)
Sport
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 Hayes Quincy Watts Caryl Smith-Gilbert
Achievements and titles
World finals	2019 Doha 400 m hurdles, 2 Silver 2022 Eugene 400 m hurdles, 2 Silver 2023 Budapest 400 m hurdles, 3 Bronze
Olympic finals	2020 Tokyo 400 m hurdles, 2 Silver 2024 Paris 400 m hurdles, 1 Gold
Personal best(s)	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) Indoors 400 m: 45.39i (Staten Island 2021) 200 m: 20.34i NR (College Station 2018)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2020 Tokyo 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2024 Paris 400 m hurdles Gold 2024 Paris 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2020 Tokyo 400 m hurdles World Championships Gold 2019 Doha 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2023 Budapest 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2019 Doha 400 m hurdles Silver 2022 Eugene 400 m hurdles Bronze 2023 Budapest 400 m hurdles Diamond League 2023 400 m hurdles Representing  Antigua and Barbuda CARIFTA Games (U-20) Silver 2015 Basseterre 400 m

Rai Benjamin (born July 27, 1997) is an American track and field star. He is known for his amazing skills in hurdles and sprinting. Rai is especially good at the 400 m hurdles race. He is the second fastest person ever in this event.

Rai won a silver medal at his first Olympic Games in 2021. He then won a gold medal in the 400 m hurdles at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He also earned silver medals at the World Championships in 2019 and 2022. In addition, he helped his team win gold medals in the 4 × 400 m relay in 2019 and 2021.

Before becoming a professional athlete, Rai ran for college teams. He competed for the UCLA Bruins and then the USC Trojans. In 2018, his team set a world record in the indoor 4 × 400 m relay. His part of the relay was the fastest ever recorded indoors at that time. Later that year, he also helped set a college record in the outdoor 4 × 400 m relay. He also ran the second fastest 400 m hurdles race ever at that time.

Rai Benjamin's Early Life and Career

Rai Benjamin grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. After his second year of high school, he competed in the 2013 World Youth Championships in Athletics in Ukraine. Even though he was born in New York, he represented Antigua and Barbuda in the 400 m hurdles at that event.

In 2015, Rai won the New York Indoor State meet. He ran the 300 meters in a leading time for the country. He was also a three-time champion in the 400 m hurdles in New York State. Rai won a silver medal in the 400 meters at the 2015 CARIFTA Games. He was also the national champion in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2015 New Balance Outdoor Nationals.

For a while, Rai could not represent the United States in international competitions. This was because of rules about changing which country an athlete represents. In 2018, his request to represent the United States was approved. This allowed him to compete for the USA.

In 2018, Rai ran the 200 meters in Paris, finishing in 19.99 seconds. This was a big improvement for him. In 2019, he ran his personal best in the 400 meters. He finished in 44.31 seconds. This was one of the fastest times in the world that year.

Rai Benjamin's Personal Life

Rai Benjamin's father is Winston Benjamin. Winston was a famous cricket player for the West Indies cricket team.

Rai also co-hosts a podcast called "Beyond the Records." He started this podcast in December 2024 with fellow athletes Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway.

Rai loves cycling. He often rides his bike around Los Angeles. He even cycles to his hurdling practice at UCLA.

Rai Benjamin's Achievements

This section shows Rai Benjamin's best times and wins.

Rai Benjamin's Personal Best Times

These are Rai Benjamin's fastest times in different races.

Rai Benjamin's International Competitions

Rai has competed for both Antigua and Barbuda and the USA.

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	Personal best
	World Relays	Nassau, Bahamas	– (h)	4 × 200 m relay	Did not finish
Representing the  United States
2019	World Championships	Doha, Qatar	2nd	400 m hurdles	47.66
			1st	4 × 400 m relay	2:56.69	World leading time, Personal best
2021	Olympic Games	Tokyo, Japan	2nd	400 m hurdles	46.17	Personal best, North American record, 2nd fastest ever
			1st	4 × 400 m relay	2:55.70	Season best
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	World leading time
2024	Olympic Games	Paris, France	1st	400 m hurdles	46.46
			1st	4 × 400 m relay	2:54.43	Olympic record

Rai Benjamin's Circuit Wins

Rai has won many races in the Diamond League and World Indoor Tour.

• Diamond League (400 m hurdles)
  • Rome: 2019
  • Stanford: 2019
  • Doha: 2021, 2023
  • Eugene: 2023
  • Monaco: 2024
  • Stockholm: 2025
• World Indoor Tour
  • Boston: 2019, 2025 (300 m)

Rai Benjamin's National Championships

Rai has won many championships in the USA.

Rai Benjamin's College Career

Rai Benjamin was a very successful college athlete. He won three NCAA Division I track championships. He also earned many honors for his great performances.

Here are some of his college achievements:

• In 2016, he finished 6th in the 400-meter hurdles.
• In 2017, he placed 2nd in the 400-meter hurdles.
• In 2018, he finished 3rd in the 200 m indoor race.
• Also in 2018, his team set a college indoor track record in the 4 × 400 m relay.
• In the same year, his team won the 4 × 400 m relay outdoors.
• He also set a college record time in the 400 m hurdles. His time was one of the fastest ever at that point.

See also

In Spanish: Rai Benjamin para niños