WESTWOOD, CALIFORNIA, May 17–18 — Rai Benjamin is a man on a mission. Even though the four-time U.S. 400 hurdles champion has won an Olympic silver and two World Championship medals in his specialty, none have lodged golden memories.
He began his 2024 campaign with a more than respectable 44.42 400 victory at Mt. SAC. The next stop would be Westwood on an oval where Benjamin once competed as a UCLA Bruin before transferring to USC.
Here, it was not going to be a walkover, as he would have to contend with Kyron McMaster from the British Virgin Islands, who finished one place in front of Benjamin for silver in the Budapest 400H final.
Americans would occupy four lanes, with Aldrich Bailey in 2, Khallifah Rosser in 4, Benjamin in 5 and Trevor Bassitt in 8. Jamaica would field 3 spots, with Jaheel Hyde in 3, Roshawn Clarke in 6 and Malik James-King in 9. Costa Rica’s Gerald Drummond started in 1 and McMaster was in Benjamin’s sights in 7.
At the gun, McMaster and Benjamin got the best starts and went over the first hurdle even. Down the backstretch Benjamin made gains with every stride and by hurdle 5 had a clear advantage.
Going round the bend, Benjamin extended his lead and by hurdle 7 had passed McMaster and headed to the home straight with a 10m lead. McMaster’s early pace had taken its toll, and he began to fade and was passed by Clarke at hurdle 9.
A seemingly unpressed Benjamin crossed the line in 46.64, the 9th-fastest all-time mark, bettering Alison Dos Santos’ 46.86 world lead. Clarke finished 1.47 back for 2nd in 48.11, followed by McMaster (48.51), Drummond (48.97) and Bassitt (49.01).
When asked by NBC’s Lewis Johnson about opening his season with the world lead, a contented Benjamin said, “It feels great. I ran fast a couple weeks ago in the 4, so I knew the strength was there. So, it means a lot to open up in 46.6 and just excited to carry this to next week.”
A few minutes later, Benjamin reflected that he had a larger goal in mind, as he put his win in perspective: “I’m not trying to think too much on it because the Olympics aren’t today. They’re in August, so just keep the ball rolling and focus on running well there. This one was great but I’m already forgetting about it.”
On the field, Joe Kovacs stole the show. The putter was never in any place other than 1st after his 73-1¾ (22.93) opener. His series would culminate with a 75-2¾ (22.93) heave in the third round — coincidentally, the same distance he threw to win the Diamond League final in Eugene last September.
All six of Kovacs’ throws topped fellow American Roger Steen’s runnerup toss of 71-5½ (21.78). Nigeria’s Chuk Enekwechi also had a 71-5½ throw, but had to settle for 3rd on next-best mark.
The 800 provided a thrilling finish, but that is what’s expected when Bryce Hoppel is in the field. The American had plenty of company with compatriots Isaiah Jewett, Isaiah Harris, Brandon Miller and Clayton Murphy. In addition, Jake Wightman, the world 1500 champion for Great Britain in ‘22, Australia’s Peter Bol and Kenya’s Noah Kibet started.
Pacer Bobby Poynter of the U.S. led all through 200 in 24.0 and crossed 400 in 50.88, followed by Miller, Kibet and Wightman, while Hoppel, the World Indoor champ, lingered in 5th at 51.59.
As Poynter exited the track, everyone moved for position as they hit the backstretch. Kibet was first to strike, overtaking Miller just before 600, with Wightman, Hoppel and Jewett following suit. But Miller found another gear and retook the lead at 700.
Everyone was now chasing Miller as Kibet started to fade and Wightman, Hoppel and Jewett began their charge.
Hoppel swung to lane 3 to initiate his final assault and had the best final 50 to take the win in 1:43.68, followed by Jewett (1:44.02), Wightman (1:44.10), Miller (1:44.24) and Harris (1:44.58), all of whom bettered the 1:44.70 Olympic qualifying standard.
Another quality race saw Australia’s Oliver Hoare take a tight 1500 in a season’s best 3:34.73 over Kenya’s Raynold Kipkorir (3:34.83). Rio Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz placed 3rd at 3:35.16, 0.23 faster than his seasonal best 2 weeks earlier.
USATF LA GP MEN’S RESULTS
100(0.6): 1. Kyree King (US) 10.11; 2. Letsile Tebogo (Bot) 10.13; 3. Aaron Brown (Can) 10.23; 4. Benjamin Azamati (Gha) 10.23.
400: 1. Michael Norman (US) 44.53; 2. Kirani James (Grn) 44.85; 3. Vernon Norwood (US) 44.86; 4. Bryce Deadmon (US) 44.92; 5. Sean Bailey (Jam) 45.19; 6. Brian Faust (US) 45.53; 7. Yuki Joseph Nakajima (Jpn) 45.63; 8. Ryan Willie (US) 46.10; 9. Champion Allison (US) 46.27.
800: 1. Bryce Hoppel (US) 1:43.68 (52.09/60.59); 2. Isaiah Jewett (US) 1:44.02; 3. Jake Wightman (GB) 1:44.10;
4. Brandon Miller (US) 1:44.24 PR; 5. Isaiah Harris (US) 1:44.58; 6. Noah Kibet (Ken) 1:44.83 PR.
1500: 1. Olli Hoare (Aus) 3:34.73 (54.77); 2. Raynold Kipkorir (Ken) 3:34.83 (55.12); 3. Matthew Centrowitz (US) 3:35.16 (54.78); 4. Henry Wynne (US) 3:35.24 (54.67); 5. Jesse Hunt (Aus) 3:35.38; 6. Sam Prakel (US) 3:35.52; 7. Vincent Ciattei (US) 3:35.55; 8. Cameron Myers (Aus) 3:35.59; 9. Adam Fogg (GB) 3:35.82; 10. Eric Holt (US) 3:35.86; 11. Craig Engels (US) 3:36.04.
400H: 1. Rai Benjamin (US) 46.64 (WL) (x, 9 W; x, 4 A);
2. Roshawn Clarke (Jam) 48.11; 3. Kyron McMaster (BVI) 48.51; 4. Gerald Drummond (CRC) 48.97; 5. Trevor Bassitt (US) 49.01; 6. Malik James-King (Jam) 49.09.
Field Events
PV: 1. Ernest John Obiena (Phi) 19-¼ (5.80) (17-10½, 18-4½, 18-8¼ [2], 19-¼) (5.45, 5.60, 5.70 [2], 5.80); 2. tie, Simen Guttormsen (Nor) & KC Lightfoot (US) 18-8¼ (5.70); 4. Chris Nilsen (US) 18-8¼ (5.70); 5. Jacob Wooten (US) 18-4½ (5.60); 6. Sam Kendricks (US) 18-4½ (5.60).
SP: 1. Joe Kovacs (US) 75-2¾ (22.93) (73-1¾, 74-4¼, 75-2¾, 74-7, 72-3½, 72-1) (22.29, 22.66, 22.93, 22.73, 22.03, 21.97); 2. Roger Steen (US) 71-5½ (21.78); 3. Chuk Enekwechi (Ngr) 71-5½ (21.78); 4. Josh Awotunde (US) 70-2¼ (21.39); 5. Adrian Piperi (US) 70-½ (21.35); 6. Rajindra Campbell (Jam) 69-1½ (21.07); 7. Tom Walsh (NZ) 68-11¾ (21.02); 8. Uziel Muñoz (Mex) 67-9¾ (20.67).
DT (05/17): 1. Roje Stona (Jam) 219-7 (66.93); 2. Claudio Romero (Chl) 210-4 (64.12); 3. Brian Williams (US) 207-10 (63.36); 4. Reggie Jagers (US) 207-3 (63.17); 5. Alex Rose (AmS) 207-3 (63.17).
HT (05/17): 1. Mykhaylo Kokhan (Ukr) 263-6 (80.33); 2. Denzel Comenentia (Neth) 259-5 (79.09) NR; 3. Daniel Haugh (US) 252-2 (76.86); 4. Rudy Winkler (US) 248-1 (75.62); 5. Alex Young (US) 232-8 (70.92).
