Champions Emerge, Records Tumble at USATF Outdoor Championships

In the climax of the 2023 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships, star performers from Team USATF drew the event to a resounding close. The final day of competition saw seven Olympic or World Championships medalists emerge victorious.

Rai Benjamin offered a standout performance in the men’s 400m hurdles. Clocking the second fastest time in U.S. history at 46.62, he demonstrated a masterful understanding of speed and precision. Benjamin now gears up for a showdown with Olympic gold medalist Karsten Warholm of Norway at the upcoming Budapest games. Benjamin’s teammate, CJ Allen, followed in second place with a time of 48.18, just ahead of Oregon22 bronze medalist Trevor Bassitt, who placed third with 48.26.

In the women’s 200m, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Gabby Thomas broke her meet record, achieving a personal best time of 21.60, and firmly establishing herself as the world leader. Sha’Carri Richardson, the 100m winner, claimed the silver with her personal best time of 21.94, while 2019 NCAA indoor champion Kayla White earned the bronze in a personal best of 22.01.

Ryan Crouser, reigning King of the Ring, retained his shot put crown with a 22.86m/75-0 on his final attempt, marking his fourth consecutive national outdoor gold and sixth overall. His nearest competition, Oregon22 bronze medalist Josh Awotunde, achieved a season best of 22.10m/72-6.25 to secure the silver medal.

Rising talent Erriyon Knighton seized the men’s 200m gold in a season best 19.72, becoming the youngest U.S. national or Olympic Trials sprint title holder since 1980. Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek followed closely, clocking in at 19.82 and 19.85, respectively.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, two-time champion Shamier Little and former world record holder Dalilah Muhammad raced through the initial five barriers. Little triumphed, taking her first U.S. gold since 2018 with a season best 53.34, while Muhammad secured her 2023 best with 53.53.

Brooke Andersen, the reigning world champion and 2023 world leader, outperformed American record holder DeAnna Price in the women’s hammer throw. She claimed a win in a closely contested event with a throw of 78.65m/258-0, leaving Price with silver at 78.18m/256-6.

Defending champion Daniel Roberts narrowly outpaced newcomer Cordell Tinch in the 110m hurdles, winning his third national gold with 13.05, while Tinch claimed silver with 13.08. Freddie Crittenden took the third spot with 13.23.

Olympic champion Valarie Allman secured her fifth straight U.S. title in the women’s discus with a throw of 67.66m/222-0. Allman’s performance asserted her standing as the world’s top-ranked thrower. Meanwhile, Lagi Tausaga-Collins threw a lifetime best of 65.46m/214-9 to earn silver, with Elena Bruckner claiming bronze at 58.33m/191-4.

In the women’s pole vault, Olympic and world champion Katie Moon emerged victorious with a world-leading 4.90m/16-0.75, despite using borrowed poles after hers were misplaced. Sandi Morris claimed silver at 4.61m/15-1.5, while high schooler Hana Moll took third at the same height.

The USATF outdoor long jump title was won by Tara Davis-Woodhall with a leap of 6.87m/22-6.5. 2022 champion Quanesha Burks secured second place with 6.82m/22-4.5, while Jasmine Moore placed third at 6.74m/22-1.5.

The women’s 800m was claimed by USATF indoor champion Nia Akins with a time of 1:59.50, while Raevyn Rogers earned silver with a season best 1:59.83. Kaela Edwards, running a close race, took bronze in 2:00.52.

The men’s 800m saw reigning champion Bryce Hoppel take the win in a closely contested race with a time of 1:46.20. Isaiah Harris followed closely behind with 1:46.68, just ahead of 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy with 1:46.82.

Abdihamid Nur, last year’s USATF bronze medalist in the men’s 5,000m, took gold with a time of 13:24.37, edging out two-time Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo who finished with silver in 13:24.90. Sean McGorty claimed bronze in 13:25.98.

The women’s 5,000m was won by Elise Cranny with a time of 14:52.66, following a race that saw three women vie for the lead in the final laps. Alicia Monson and Natosha Rogers followed, placing second and third with times of 14:55.10 and 14:55.39 respectively.

JuVaughn Harrison, 2021 Olympic Trials winner, secured his high jump team spot with an easy clear at 2.26m/7-5. Shelby McEwen, 2022 USATF champion, followed with a second-place finish at 2.26m, while Vernon Turner claimed bronze with 2.21m.

In summary, the USATF Outdoor Championships proved a thrilling display of talent and tenacity, offering a glimpse of the athletic prowess to expect at the Budapest games. From seasoned champions to emerging stars, every athlete contributed to the exhilarating momentum of this monumental event. The stage is now set for an intriguing athletic showdown on the global scale.