In June of the same year he also helped set the NCAA record in the same event but outdoors, and ran what was at the time the second fastest 400 m hurdles race of all time in 47.02 s. Rai Benjamin, from Mount Vernon High School (New York), just after completing his second year participated at the 2013 World Youth Championships held in Donetsk, Ukraine.

He wanted to run for the USA, since he was born in New York,[8] but in Donetsk he represented Antigua and Barbuda in the 400 m hurdles.

He was a three-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association champion in the 400m hurdles.

[11] In October 2018, Benjamin's transfer request was approved, allowing him to represent the United States abroad and compete in USATF Championship events.

[17] Benjamin is an avid cyclist, frequently cycling around Los Angeles and to and from hurdling practice at UCLA.