The remarkable thing about Rai Benjamin is even in his 400 m H Tokyo final he never looked like he was putting a whole lot of effort into it ...... into his running despite how fast the surrounding environment went by or what the clock tells us when he, too, smashed the only recently broken WR in that same race. Even in his 43.2 anchoring of our men’s gold medal 4x4 relay, he rolled without the appearance of much effort. If even paced, that would be 21.6 for the first 200 m followed by another equally scintillating 21.6.
What is happening to explain this perception: The fluidity of his style? I have to wonder at the biomechanical efficacy or extreme intelligence of his body and how it must work to engender and maintain that kind of speed. And the idea that nothing in that complex of working parts is not about compelling forward motion. When we compare him with the 2011 World Champion @ 18 and the London Olympics 400 gold medalist @ 19, Karani James, we see how the Grenadian sprinter must compensate for what is happening with his left leg in follow through as it travels a longer distance due perhaps to a congenital player.
We may learn about more of Benjamin’s full potential come Saturday @ the Pre Classic when he runs the open elite 200 m. Something tells me no one, not even Rai Benjamin, knows what he is truly capable of. And, just perhaps, we are about to get another peek into his immense talent.
As one wag once opined: “If you intend on winning at the Olympic Games, you must pick your parents very carefully.” Perhaps, as the future unfolds, we shall learn he did.
Tune in.
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Buce Kritzler notes: "Rai broke 20 a couple of years ago, so will be competive at Pre. Also did a great job of picking his parents. Dad was international cricketer from Antigua"
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