AFTER THE FIRST ROUND, it seemed the Tokyo team had already been determined — Rai Benjamin, Caleb Dean and Chris Robinson were clearly in their own class, all running sub-48s while no one else broke 49.
And indeed, that was the finishing order in the final. But as the saying goes, there’s a reason they run the race, and Dean and Robinson’s route to the Worlds squad was a little hairier than what might have been expected. While Benjamin improved upon his opening 47.45 to a controlled 46.89 final, Dean and Robinson slid back above 48, with Paris Olympian CJ Allen poised to take advantage.
Benjamin looked every bit the Olympic champion. He was clearly unconcerned when Dean blasted out to the lead, dropping as low as 4th place by the fourth hurdle. He steadily reeled Dean in around the curve, taking the lead on No. 7 and growing the gap all the way to the line.
Dean and Robinson found themselves in a familiar matchup for the other two spots — in ’24, Dean (then at Texas Tech) beat Robinson (Alabama) for the NCAA title. (Robinson was collegiate champ in ’23.)
Both took hurdle 9 awkwardly, and Allen briefly jumped into 2nd. However, they each regained their composure. While Allen had the fastest split of the entire field between 9 and 10 (4.30), he couldn’t sustain it. Dean took 2nd in 48.45 and Robinson 3rd in 48.56, with Allen off the podium in 48.76.
All three medalists have achieved the 48.50 WC standard. Robinson hit his in Ostrava in June and improved to a 47.76 PR in the first round.
“Pretty under control,” Benjamin described his performance to NBC. “I just wanted to make the team today. I definitely have to dial it up a notch; we know 46-high isn’t winning anything this year. [I’m] definitely locking in these next couple of weeks and getting ready for Tokyo.”
While Benjamin’s triumph was completely expected, almost rote, Dean and Robinson enjoyed sweet redemption. At last year’s Olympic Trials, Dean tripped into a DNF while Robinson took the dreaded 4th.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Dean said. “Last year around this time I landed on my face after the 8th hurdle so I’m just happy I made the team this year.”
“I just feel blessed for the opportunity,” Robinson said. “This last month has been kind of hard because I had a concussion. I had to take three weeks off.”
MEN’S 400 HURDLES RESULTS
FINAL (August 03)
1. Rai Benjamin (Nik) 46.89;
2. Caleb Dean (adi) 48.45;
3. Chris Robinson (D4) 48.56;
4. Craig Allen (Asics) 48.76;
5. Aldrich Bailey (USAr) 49.20;
6. Reyte Rash (unat) 49.54;
7. James Smith (AzFlame) 49.61;
8. Khallifah Rosser (Nik) 49.78;
9. Kody Blackwood (Tx) 50.02.
HEATS (August 02)
I–1. Dean 47.76; 2. Robinson 47.76 PR; 3. Rash 49.58; 4. Ja-Van Poole (Oakl) 51.25; 5. Marcus Johnson (Honeydew) 53.30.
II–1. Bailey 49.00; 2. Allen 49.04; 3. Rosser 49.35; 4. Smith 49.44; 5. Bryce McCray (unat) 50.58; 6. Trevor Bassitt (adi) 52.14;… dq—Jarrett Gentles (Copp), Gabriel Singh (EnMi).
III–1. Benjamin 47.45; 2. Blackwood 49.12; 3. Johnny Brackins (On) 49.73; 4. Mario Paul (TxT) 50.49; 5. Xavier Branker (NCSt) 51.40; 6. Jason Parrish (Wich) 52.37; 7. Matthew Wilkinson (unat) 53.29.
