Rai Benjamin had enjoyable in Boston, however the focus is on Tokyo 2025!
Rai Benjamin’s run for Paris gold started in September 2023 on the Nike Pre-Classid. With two hurdles, he glided by Karsten Warholm and began his run to the Olympics, the place he received two gold medals.
Final November, Rai informed this author that he felt nice in Paris and that the boldness he regained from the NIKE Pre win on the finish of 2023 was an enormous a part of his success. He additionally informed me about holding off Letsile Tebogo within the 4×400 meters and the way it took all that he had. Rai had saved one thing left for the ultimate 100 meters, testing Tebogo each 50 meters till He couldn’t advance. It was like a shifting chess recreation. How would Rai Benjamin maintain off the 200-meter gold medalist? ” I modified my race plan simply earlier than the change. ” Benjamin informed me in November.
The 300 meters was enjoyable to observe in Boston. Vernon Norwood is the veteran 400-meter star ( a person who has scored 400m PBs within the final 4 seasons). Rai Benjamin held off till the final fifty meters and made the race his personal, operating 32.31 with Vernon Norwood at 32.39.
The 300-meter race is difficult, even for a 400-meter man. It’s mentioned {that a} match particular person can run 300 meters almost all out earlier than they fill their legs with lactic acid. Within the indoor race, we witnessed two of probably the most demanding 400-meter racers within the trendy period holding their strikes till the final fifty meters. It was a enjoyable race to observe!
Eugene, Oregon, USA
June 21-30, 2024, photograph by Kevin Morris
When the media requested Rai how he felt about his win in Boston, he mentioned, “It felt actually good. I’m simply making an attempt to get a very good one in as a result of it’s onerous to follow by your self. I’m completely happy I can come right here and do it with V (Vernon Norwood). We talked about it a few weeks in the past, so we made it occur.
In my brief interview with Rai, seen beneath, Rai informed me he was centered on staying wholesome and knew that he had a particularly lengthy season with the World Champs in September 2025.
Rai Benjamin answered my queries on 300 meters after which if he would ever run the 400m indoor hurdles or a 600 meters! Thanks @_Kingben_ to your solutions! #NBIGP, #worldindoortourgold, pic.twitter.com/r5fRkUCmof
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) February 2, 2025
I requested Rai if he would run the indoor 400-meter hurdles, a race featured in Birmingham on the Indoor for a number of years.
“No, No, No. I’m too tall to try this indoors, and it might get me injured.”
What we see in Rai Benjamin is an skilled athlete who is aware of what it feels wish to succeed. Rai likes that feeling and can deal with well being and health because the season begins in 2025.
Rai completed with this remark within the blended zone:
“I simply have to get higher. That’s about it. It’s an extended yr and early, so I’m completely happy I can come out and put down that point this early. “
