Rai Benjamin ends the season as the fastest American man in both the 400h and the 400m

bump.

don't know enough sprint history to even guess if it's true, but very impressive if true.

he ends the season world #1 time in 400mH and #6 in the 400 flat.

1
43.74
Steven GARDINER
12 SEP 1995
BAH
1
Bregyó Athletic Center, Székesfehérvár (HUN)
18 JUL 2023
1269
2
43.91
Muzala SAMUKONGA
09 DEC 2002
ZAM
1f1
National Stadium, Gaborone (BOT)
29 APR 2023
1257
3
44.03
Rusheen MCDONALD
17 AUG 1992
JAM
2
Bregyó Athletic Center, Székesfehérvár (HUN)
18 JUL 2023
1248
4
44.08
Wayde VAN NIEKERK
15 JUL 1992
RSA
1
Stadion Śląski, Chorzów (POL)
16 JUL 2023
1245
5
44.13
Antonio WATSON
11 SEP 2001
JAM
1sf1
Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ, Budapest (HUN)
22 AUG 2023
1241
6
44.21
Rai BENJAMIN
27 JUL 1997
USA
1f1
USC Cromwell Field at Loker Track Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (USA)
08 APR 2023
1235
7
44.22
Bryce DEADMON
26 MAR 1997
USA
1
Hayward Field, Eugene, OR (USA)
08 JUL 2023
1235
8
44.24
Emmanuel BAMIDELE
06 JUL 1999
NGR
1
Mike A. Myers Stadium, Austin, TX (USA)
09 JUN 2023
1233
9
44.25
Ryan WILLIE
24 JUN 2002
USA
2
Mike A. Myers Stadium, Austin, TX (USA)
09 JUN 2023
1232
10
44.26
Vernon NORWOOD
10 APR 1992
USA
2sf1
Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ, Budapest (HUN)
22 AUG 2023
1232
10
44.26
Matthew HUDSON-SMITH
26 OCT 1994
GBR
1sf2
Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ, Budapest (HUN)
22 AUG 2023
1232

I realize this is a Rai Benjamin thread. But the aspect that jumped out to me from the race today was that it's the first time in memory that adding the 2 additional steps from 13 to 15 really cost Warholm the momentum over the final barrier. His margin over Benjamin going over 9 was actually above the Tokyo margin. But Benjamin was motoring over those late barriers today, seemingly launching from further away and therefore lower clearance.

Contrast to Warholm who all season has had a tendency to chop steps and add the additional 2 steps much closer to hurdle 10 than his norm. I've mentioned that a few times this year. His prior method was to take two almost pitter patter steps midway between 9 and 10, then really accelerate into 10.

I don't understand why he got away from that this year. His overall season has been excellent, with many clockings well below 47 including today. However, he won't get back down to 46 low or 45 high until he cleans up that transition from 13 steps to 15.

Warholm is not fluid enough to stick with 13 through 10, IMO. I think he realizes that. It would really be robotic and lead to a stall. He might consider 14, although that would mean taking the final barrier with the least preferred leg. Almost none of the top hurdlers do that. Not intentionally, anyway.

This race will lead to greater decision making than Warholm has ever faced during an offseason.

Can we stop including races run at altitude in our world leading list please.
Like no joke, Samukonga has ran sub 45 once this year not at altitude.

Yes it is the first time ever

In 1958 Ohio States Glen Davis was the top ranked 400 hurdler and 400m sprinter in the world. A WR holder and Olympic champion at 400hurdler, also ran a leg on an Olympic 4x4 medal winner.

Also played some football as a Detroit Lion.

Image:c8.alamy.com/comp/TDR1J4/glenn-davis-w...

Gaborone is only like 3000 feet - I wouldn't say that really qualifies as "altitude". Maybe a tad faster for sprints, but nothing too big.

Top notch stuff.