USATF Indoor Championships: 34-Year-Old Makes US Proud After Showcasing Dominance in Triple Jump at Albuquerque

Before coming to the USATF indoor championship, Chris Benard had to survive a barrage of questions regarding his oblivious form since last year. The 33-year-old Olympian has a stellar resume, showcasing better days on the track and field in both triple jump and 60m sprinting. But except for the MVA league last year, every title run ended for him, far behind his best attempts in the track and field. So, on that estimate, this time the Albuquerque Convention Center seemed to hold Benard’s rise like the mythical Phoenix. 

But in his way, the only impasse could be his arch-rival in the triple jump. Unlike Benard, he posed some riveting timings this year as well. So eventually, the 2024 USATF indoor championship came out to be the ultimate battling ground for both hardened athletes. 

USATF indoor championship nullifies any mishap on podium standing

The final tussle in the triple jump event of the USATF indoor championship this time came down to Chris Carter and Chris Benard. Both veterans saw their tough days before on the track. But this time, for Benard, the situation heightened to be tougher as James Carter was on his fiery form to give consecutive outrageous attempts around the 16-meter benchmark. However, for Benard, it needed a season-best attempt of 16.42, to leave James Carter behind, and chase Chris Carter wholeheartedly. At last, dismissing all the age-related debates, Chris Carter earned his USATF indoor championship title in the triple jump at 34 years of age. As USATF published the result on its website, his season-best attempt came as 16.49 meters, giving him the top podium. 

The 33-year-old Olympian, Benard, could go no less, stopping at 16.42, way before James Carter. Eventually, these three made consecutive positions on the podium. However, the ASU athlete’s run was still minuscule in front of his most performances from last year. But he might take his joy in performing better than his season opener this time. 

Meanwhile, Chris Carter could pose his victory on Friday as an act of revenge on Chris Benard. Last time when these two American track and field athletes locked horns in the Pan American Games 2023, Benard registered 4th position whereas Carter could earn the disappointing 7th position. In the 2022 USATF Outdoor Championship as well, the 33-year-old had the last laugh before Chris Carter. 

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So based on those displays of prowess, the 2024 USATF indoor championship let the former national triple jump pose bigger than Benard. However, it was his third podium finish this year. Chris Benard would take note of it. 

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