Olympic medalist Rai Benjamin takes the world lead from rival Alison dos Santos in LA Grand Prix

reTokyo Olympics gold medalist, Rai Benjamin registered the world lead on Saturday (May 18) at the USA Track and Field Los Angeles Grand Prix. The New York native produced a staggering performance at the track and field event to clinch the gold medal, setting a blistering run time of 46.64 seconds to register the world lead this season.

Benjamin snatched away the world lead from his Brazilian rival, Alison dos Santos in his first 400m hurdles of the season.

Santos ran an impressive 400m hurdles at the recently concluded Doha Diamond League meet, where he touched the finishing line in just 46.86 seconds. In reply to this, Benjamin went a step ahead and showed the world his mettle at the Drake Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday. Moreover, Benjamin's registered run time was also the ninth fastest in the all-time history of the Men's 400m hurdles events.

The two-time NACAC U18 Championships gold medalist from Jamaica, Roshawn Clerke finished behind Rai Benjamin with a run time of 48.11 seconds. Two-time Diamond League meet winner from British Virginia Islands, Kyron McMaster followed suit in 48.51 seconds.

Even though both Clerke and McMaster posed a tough challenge to Benjamin, it was not enough as he was in a different league altogether. Moreover, with such form and momentum at his back, Benjamin will definitely look to go one step ahead in Paris than his performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in which he won a silver in the 400m hurdles event (Norway's Karsten Warholm won the gold medal).

Rai Benjamin clinches 400m event at Mt. Sac Relays 2024

Rai Benjamin at the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships

Rai Benjamin made a solid statement upon his comeback at the 2024 edition of the Mt. Sac Relays. The New York native produced a staggering performance to register a victory in the Men's 400m (flat) event of the tournament.

Benjamin touched the finishing line in just 44.42 seconds to clinch the gold medal at the annual track and field event. Texas' Brian Herron and Arizona State University's Justin Robinson followed suit at the second and third positions with run times of 45.48 and 45.49 seconds, respectively.

After his victory at the event, Benjamin opened up about his excitement in the post-match interview with The Times of San Diego:

"Pretty good. Just an easy one."

Even though it was not his signature 400m hurdles event, this victory would do a lot of good to the New Jersey native, especially upon his return to professional competitions.