Rai Benjamin Claims 400m Hurdles Title at World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025
TOKYO - Rai Benjamin of the United States surged to victory in the men’s 400m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, finishing ahead of Alison dos Santos of Brazil and a struggling Karsten Warholm of Norway. The race, held at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, saw Benjamin crowned champion after a tense wait for a jury decision regarding a potential disqualification.
The result marks a significant shift in the event’s landscape,with Benjamin overcoming past disappointments at the same venue.For Warholm, the reigning world record holder, the race proved disastrous, finishing fifth after encountering issues both at the start and during the race itself. This outcome has implications for the future of the event, signaling a potential changing of the guard in the 400m hurdles.
Benjamin completed the race with a time that remained unconfirmed pending the jury’s review, ultimately standing as the winning time. Dos Santos secured second place, while Warholm finished with a time of 47.58, hampered by hitting hurdles and a reported strain.
“It feels great. A complete reversal on what happened here in 2021. I am glad I finally got the job done. I got another individual medal under my belt,for which I am extremely proud,” Benjamin stated after the race,referencing his previous experiences at the Tokyo stadium.
The victory wasn’t without a moment of uncertainty. “We were sitting down near the elimination chairs, ironically, and (Alison) dos Santos (BRA) saeid the referees are reviewing the race, and that it was about me being disqualified.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.”
Warholm’s race was marred by a left thigh strain felt immediately after the start. “I had something happen when I got out of the block,like a little strain in my left thigh,” he explained. “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. I tried to push but it was just a terrible race.”
Visibly frustrated, Warholm added, “A disaster.I knew I was good and that’s why this outcome is disappointing. It’s just s***.” The World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 continue, with further events scheduled throughout the week.
