A personal best in athletics refers to the best performance achieved by an athlete in a specific event. It serves as a benchmark for the individual's progress and goals, indicating improvement over time. Each athlete strives to break their personal bests in competitions, often leading to increased motivation and focus during training. Personal bests can be recorded for various metrics, including distance, time, or points, depending on the sport. Achieving a personal best signifies the culmination of hard work, dedication, and skill development in an athlete's journey.