EUGENE -- American Rai Benjamin stunned reigning world champion Karston Warholm of Norway, running a world-leading 46.17 to shatter the meet and Diamond League records in the men's 400m hurdles at the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.

“Being a sprinter, that’s what I am," Benjamin said. "Went back to my old race model, because my second half is just amazing. Just tried to channel that today and I feel like I did a really good job.”

American Rai Benjamin wins the 400m Hurdles at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic!

📺: @nbc & @peacock | #EugeneDL pic.twitter.com/vygV6YzSVk

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) September 16, 2023

Benjamin, who was disappointed with his bronze-medal performance at the World Championships in Budapest last month, looked like a man on a redemption mission over the final 110 meters, executing a perfect close to get to the line victorious. 

Benjamin's time erased his meet record of 47.19 set in 2019.

“I came out here with no expectation, just to have fun and close out the season,” Benjamin said. “I’m not really too caught up in this win. What matters is winning at major championships and I haven’t done that yet so I need to do that.”

Warholm, who entered with the world-leading time of 46.51 from the Diamond League meeting in Monaco in July, was right behind Benjamin, finishing second in 46.53. Kyron McMaster of British Virgin Islands finish third in 47.31.

“Of course I’m tired, it’s the end of the season and it’s tough and I think most people are tired," Warholm said. "But at the same time pulling out one of the best times I’ve had this season, so with the time I’m happy but of course I don’t like being beaten -- makes me pissed off.”

Warholm said he felt like he had enough energy left in the tank to hold off Benjamin at the end but wound up getting a taste of his own medicine.

“Over the last hurdle I was feeling good," Warholm said. "I thought I had it, but when he comes to the side you know that he’s gonna pass you because he has higher speed over the last hurdle.

“It’s never fun to experience but I guess that’s how people sometimes feel racing against me as well. That’s sports, but I don’t like to lose.”