Rai Benjamin, the son of former West Indies fast bowler Winston Benjamin, won the gold medal in the men’s 400 meters hurdles at the Paris Olympics. He achieved a season-best time of 46.46 seconds. This outstanding performance brought significant glory to the USA. His father’s pride in Rai’s accomplishment was immense. The victory was not only a national triumph but also a deeply personal moment for Winston.
A Family Legacy of Excellence
Rai’s achievement is particularly special because his father, Winston Benjamin, a former cricket star from Antigua, cheered him on from the stands. Winston had a distinguished cricket career. He played 21 Test matches and 85 One Day Internationals between 1986 and 1995 , as West Indies fast bowler. During his career, he took a total of 161 wickets. His support made Rai’s victory even more meaningful.
Double Gold Triumph
Rai returned from Paris with two gold medals: one for the 400m hurdles and another with the men’s 4×400-meter relay team. This was a significant improvement from his performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where he had finished second to Norway’s Karsten Warholm.
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A Proud Father’s Reflections
Winston Benjamin expressed his joy and pride in his son’s achievements. “Watching him win was a surreal experience,” he said. “I’m extremely happy for him because I know the hard work and dedication he put in. Winning the gold in such a challenging event is phenomenal.”
Winston praised Rai’s preparation and execution during the race. “I focused on how he started and knew he needed to push hard, especially since he couldn’t see his main competitors. His strong performance and strategic race execution were impressive,” he added.
Despite his birth in the USA, Winston emphasized that their family celebrates Rai’s success just as much as American fans do.. “He worked incredibly hard for this achievement, leaving no stone unturned. To accomplish such a feat is truly remarkable,” Winston concluded
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