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Rai BenjaminAmerican track and field athlete
Date of Birth: 27.07.1997
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- International Representation
- Collegiate Success
- National Team Debut and World Championship Medals
- Silver and Gold Medals in Doha
Early Life and Career
Born and Raised in the United StatesRay Benjamin was born on July 27, 1997, in Mount Vernon, New York, to Winston Benjamin, a renowned Antiguan cricket player. Growing up in the United States, Benjamin attended Mount Vernon High School, where he excelled in track and field, becoming a state champion in various sprint events.
International Representation
Competing for Antigua and BarbudaInitially, Benjamin represented his ancestral home of Antigua and Barbuda in international competition. He participated in the 2013 World Youth Championships in Donetsk and the 2015 CARIFTA Games in Basseterre.
Collegiate Success
Joining UCLA and USCIn 2016, Benjamin enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), joining the track and field team. He made an immediate impact, earning a silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2017 NCAA Division I Championships.
In 2018, Benjamin transferred to the University of Southern California (USC), achieving even greater success. He won the NCAA title in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400-meter relay.
National Team Debut and World Championship Medals
Breaking into the US TeamIn 2019, Benjamin claimed his first US adult title, qualifying for the US national team. His impressive performances earned him a spot at the World Championships in Doha.
Silver and Gold Medals in Doha
In Doha, Benjamin finished second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 47.66 seconds, behind Norwegian star Karsten Warholm. However, he redeemed himself by contributing to the US team's gold medal victory in the 4x400-meter relay.
