Usain Bolt’s 200m record broken by lightning-fast teen

 

Florida teenager Erriyon Knighton has broken Usain Bolt’s 200m record for athletes under the age of 18.

The 17-year-old earned his place in the history books while competing at the Duval County Challenge Track League in Jacksonville, Florida, winning the 200m with a time of 20.11 seconds.

Bolt, who won three Olympic gold medals in the 200m, previously held the record for under-18s which Knighton beat by 0.02 seconds.

“I’ve definitely got to respect them, top of the world,” Knighton said. “But I feel like I brought my A game today.”

 

Bolt does still hold the record for the fastest 200m time by a 17-year-old, having recorded a time of 19.93 back in April 2004.

However, due to the fact that he turned 18 during that calendar year, US Track and Field rules mean that time does not count towards the record Knighton has now broken.

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The teenager is set to compete in the US Olympic trials later this month and he could be selected for their track and field team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Knighton beat the previous record, which was held by Usain Bolt, by 0.02 seconds

If he does make the team, Knighton would become the youngest male athlete to do so since the 1964 Olympics, which were also held in Tokyo.

He is currently ranked seventh in the US when it comes to the 200m and only the top three will make the team.

Knighton reportedly turned professional at the age of 16 after signing a deal with Adidas.

Speaking to Track and Field News, Knighton said: “I know I can maximize to the next level. “I’ve got to see what I can do.

“I want to win against the top athletes, but I know they’re not going to make it easy on me, so I’m going to have to train real hard.”