Sports
VIDEO: USA’s Sprinter Rai Benjamin Breaks Down In Tears After Watching Family’s Video
Rai Benjamin is an American professional hurdler and sprinter who specializes in the 400 m and 400 m hurdles. He is the second-fastest man in history in the 400 m hurdles with a personal best time of 46.17s.
In one of the most highly anticipated matchups on the track in Tokyo, Norway’s Karsten Warholm nearly edged American Rai Benjamin to win Olympic gold on Tuesday. It was a magnificent race in which both men smashed the previous world record by half a second – a staggering feat in an event where races are often won and lost by hundredths.
Post his race, a rush of emotions took over him and he sobbed while watching his family’s video.
Rai Benjamin watching his family watch his race. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/BGWQOuyChB
— Andrew R (@kidcue) August 3, 2021
WATCH STORY– Biles Says She Is Proud To Bring The Topic of Mental Health This Olympics
Benjamin’s reaction post his 400m race
Warholm crossed the finish line in 45.94 seconds, lowering the world record he set a month ago by 0.76. Benjamin won silver in 46.17. And even Alison dos Santos of Brazil, who took bronze, flirted with Warholm’s previous world best of 46.70, coming home just two-hundredths of a second behind it, in 46.72.
“I would say this was probably the best race ever, in Olympic history,” Benjamin said. “I don’t think any other race compares to what we just did, about two hours ago. It’s undeniable. Like, there’s nothing you can compare to what just happened out there.”
Here we go! Watch the #TokyoOlympics men’s 400m hurdles final right here on Twitter. https://t.co/cZMQ4LpO9l
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2021
“It’s a lot to process,” says Rai while getting emotional
The times were so low and so fast, that Benjamin said he didn’t believe them at first when they appeared on the scoreboard at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium. Apparently, he saw Warholm’s time first. “What the hell?” he thought. Furthermore, he saw his own time and thought “there’s no way.”
Benjamin removed his headband and put his hands on his knees. Warholm let out a primal scream and ripped open his shirt. Later, he said he couldn’t feel his legs for the final 20 meters of the race. He just sensed that there was “a crazy American” trying to catch him and he urged his legs forward.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 400m Hurdles – Final – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 3, 2021. Karsten Warholm of Norway and Rai Benjamin of the United States in action. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
Additionally, until the beginning of last month, the world record was 46.78 seconds. It was set by Kevin Young in 1992 – before Benjamin and Warholm, both 25, were born. The top three finishers all bested it Tuesday.
“It’s a lot to process,” Benjamin said. “I cried a little bit. It’s going to be a lot to process these next 24 hours. But I am really happy to be a part of history like this. That was the best race in Olympic history. I don’t even think Usain Bolt’s 9.5 topped that.”
Benjamin shows optimism for his races ahead
Right after the race, Benjamin started to look ahead. He will run again here in the 4×400 meters relay, alongside his best friend Michael Norman. He heeded that the 2022 World Championships, his next shot at Warholm in a major event, will be held “in my backyard,” in Eugene, Ore.
However, Benjamin is still grappling with an unprecedented mixture of accomplishment and disappointment, and with the margin that invited the latter.
“Forty-five nine, man,” Benjamin said. “Forty-six one. And lost.”
Benjamin performed above and beyond. Yet, he won silver. He was greater than great on the only day, against the only man when it was not good enough.
The post VIDEO: USA’s Sprinter Rai Benjamin Breaks Down In Tears After Watching Family’s Video appeared first on EssentiallySports.
