Tokyo (AFP) – American Rai Benjamin outpaced rivals Alison Dos Santos and Karsten Warholm to claim a first world 400 metres hurdles title on Friday — and survived a brief disqualification too. Benjamin was stripped of victory for a few minutes after he hit the last hurdle and it moved into the neighbouring lane, before being reinstated after a US team appeal. The 2024 Olympic champion, who has two previous world silvers and a bronze to his name, clocked a season’s best time of 46.52sec for victory at the National Stadium.
Brazil’s 2022 world champion Dos Santos took silver in 46.84sec, with Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba rounding out the podium in 47.06sec. “It feels great. A complete reversal on what happened here in 2021,” Benjamin said, referring to the Olympic final when he finished second behind Warholm, with Dos Santos third. “I am glad I finally got the job done. I got another individual medal under my belt, for which I am extremely proud,” the American said. “Once I started running really fast tonight, I knew I could win the race. It was just a matter of holding on.”
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There was heartbreak for Warholm, who previously won world titles in 2017, 2019, and 2023, and who claimed gold on this same Tokyo track at the Covid-delayed 2021 Olympics in a stunning world record. The Norwegian could only finish fifth in 47.58sec.
Warholm, in lane four, got off to his trademark thunderous start but clipped the third hurdle. Coming off the bend into the home straight, Benjamin, in lane seven, had a clear lead and the American kept his rivals at bay, albeit clattering the 10th and final hurdle, causing the disqualification issue. Dos Santos finished strongly as Warholm faded. “I had something happen when I got out of the block, like a little strain in my left thigh,” said Warholm. “I don’t know if it’s a hamstring or knee. Trying to hurdle with it wasn’t good. I also crashed the third hurdle.” Warholm added: “I tried to push, but it was just a terrible race. A disaster. I knew I was good and that’s why this outcome is disappointing.”
Drama ensued after the medallists rounded the track draped in their respective flags. They were then put in a waiting zone as the women’s 400m hurdles played out, Femke Bol retaining her title with American Jasmine Jones taking silver. Benjamin was quickly out of his seat to embrace Jones after the race, and the pair posed for photos, just as the former’s disqualification was announced on the official results service.
The reason for the disqualification was that the final hurdle Benjamin hit moved into another lane and could have obstructed the other runner. No one, however, thought to tell Benjamin, and it was a full 15 minutes before an official dared to inform the American. He immediately took off the golden crown he had doffed, returned to his seat to put down the US flag, and then sought out his coach, this time refusing more photos and autograph requests. Conversations continued trackside, and just as Benjamin was coming to terms that he was disqualified, he was reinstated — as was the crown.
“We were sitting down near the elimination chairs, ironically, and Dos Santos said the referees are reviewing the race, and that it was about me being disqualified,” said Benjamin. “I asked, ‘Did I step on the line or what?’ It might have been because of that last hurdle I knocked down. But it was all fine in the end.” Dos Santos added: “They called me in the stands saying that Rai was disqualified and I had the gold. If nothing irregular happened, that’s not how I want to win gold. I want to conquer the race. So I am not sad with silver, I am happy.”
© 2024 AFP
