“The next Usain Bolt?”: Young star Erriyon Knighton shines; Shatters another Junior Record set by Bolt


“The next Usain Bolt?”: Young star Erriyon Knighton shines; Shatters another Junior Record set by Bolt

Erriyon Knighton

Last year, at the age of just 17, Erriyon Knighton shattered Usain Bolt’s junior sprint records. This year, he has done the same again, breaking even more records, this time in the U-20 category, becoming the fourth fastest man in history on Saturday.

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Knighton finished the 200m with a blistering time of 19.49s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He registered the fastest time since the 2012 Olympics, putting himself right behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Michael Johnson. He also broke his own personal record of 19.84 seconds which he set last year at the Olympic Trials. Knighton went on to finish 4th at the Tokyo Olympics.

Erriyon Knighton sets himself as the second fastest American in the history of the 200m sprint

Erriyon Knighton
Erriyon Knighton

Knighton turned professional last year as a Florida high school junior. He moved up for number 35 to fourth in the history of fastest men, passing the likes of Tommie SmithCarl Lewis and Noah Lyles. Knighton’s major races this season are at the USATF Outdoor Championships in June and the world championships in July if he makes the cut. These meets are in Eugene, Oregon, where he ran the historic 19.84s last summer.

Bolt himself has broken the 19.50s barrier four times in his career. This include the 2008 and 2012 Olympic finals and 2009 and 2011 World Championships finals. He however, broke this barrier for the first time just before he turned 22.

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Also read: “He’s about to be even faster!”: 18-year-old sensation Erriyon Knighton defeats Olympian Noah Lyles at the Tom Jones Invitational Event

Also read: “It is heartbreaking for the three other athletes”: Team GB stripped of Olympic Medals after doping scandal