CJ Allen: Why the American hurdler faces strong opposition in star-studded lineup

CJ Allen competes in the 400m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships Budapest on August 21, 2023, in Hungary.

CJ Allen: Why the American hurdler faces strong opposition in star-studded lineup

Festus Chuma 19:31 - 04.07.2024

After qualifying for the Paris Olympics CJ Allen faces tough competition just weeks before the games.

US men's national record holder over 400m hurdles CJ Allen will face formidable opponents when he competes against Alison Dos Santos and Karsten Warholm on July 12 at the Monaco Diamond League.

Allen heads into this race on the heels of an impressive performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where he secured his spot for the Paris Olympics by finishing second with a time of 47.81 seconds.

This time not only marked a season's best but also placed him seventh in the world rankings for the 2024 season.

The U.S. Olympic Trials saw Rai Benjamin set the pace with a world-leading time of 46.46 seconds, breaking his own previous record for the fastest run this year.

"I've been running the hurdles for 19 years. This is probably my greatest dream to make this team. I don't think it's fully hit me yet. It probably won't hit me for a couple days," Allen remarked after finishing second in the race as per FloTrack.

At the Monaco Diamond League, Allen will be aiming to surpass his personal best of 47.58 seconds.

However, the field is packed with talent as Alison Dos Santos from Brazil has clocked 46.63 seconds this season, nearing his personal best of 46.29 seconds.

France's Wilfried Happio has a season-best of 48.01 seconds, slightly behind his personal best of 47.41 seconds.

Malik James-King from Jamaica has matched his personal and season-best times at 47.42 seconds, while Abderrahman Samba from Qatar has a season-best of 47.97 seconds and a personal best of 46.98 seconds.

Italy's Alessandro Sibilio has achieved a personal and season-best of 47.50 seconds.

Meanwhile, Karsten Warholm from Norway, with a season-best of 46.70 seconds, boasts an impressive personal best of 45.94 seconds.

The Monaco Diamond League will be a defining moment for CJ Allen as he continues to chase his dreams and strive for excellence in the sport he has dedicated nearly two decades of his life to.

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