“Wow, this guy got talent”: Yohan Blake feels an “interesting year” awaits Erriyon Knighton
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Erriyon Knighton and Yohan Blake
The youngest 100m world champion ever, Yohan Blake‘s career would have ended up looking much different had the phenom, Usain Bolt chosen cricket over athletics as a child. Despite being in the shadow of his compatriot for the better part of his career, Blake boasts of four Olympic medals, two golds and two silvers.
In addition to his medals, Yohan Balke is the second-fastest man to ever walk the earth. The Jamaican holds the second-best timings in both 100 and 200m, only Usain Bolt has run faster. As a new season dawns, Blake gave his views on the budding athletes who might spring up a surprise or two in 2022.
Yohan Blake has his say on the “really impressive” teenager
17-year-old Erriyon Knighton hogged the s[spotlight as he smashed the world under-18 best in the boys’ 200 meters, improving on Usain Bolt’s record. The teenager came good on the expectations as he finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. And Yohan Blake believes that the young gun might shine through in the upcoming season.
Knighton holds the world records in U18 and U20 in the 200 meters and Blake believes that he will only get better. Having competed against the American, the former World Champion believes that the teenager harbours enormous potential and is destined for greatness having been dubbed the next Usain Bolt by the masses.
“He’s not just some top-end speed, he has a really good top-end speed, and it was really impressive. Well, I run with him, I ran with him earlier this year, and my glimpse over the shoulder and he was there and I said wow. In clear mountain, I said wow this guy got talent. I kept on watching him and I saw how he progressed and even beat up most of these big guys. He’s young and to make it to the Olympics at such a young age, I think it is going to be interesting, next year,” said Blake.
While much is expected from Erriyon Knighton in the upcoming season, the 17-year-old has a Herculean task ahead of him. He will be expecting some tough competition from compatriot Fred Kerley. Nonetheless, Knighton has a great opportunity to break Blake’s record of being the youngest World Champion. It will be interesting to see how that oans out.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
(1496 Articles Published)