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17-Year-Old Olympian Erriyon Knighton Has Already Broken 2 Usain Bolt Records: Read More About the Sprinter

03/08/2021 - 11:52 PM

At just 17 years old, Erriyon Knighton [1] is already a rising track star. The high school student-turned-pro-athlete is setting records on the track, quickly being seen as a fierce competitor to longstanding favourites like 200m world champion Noah Lyles [2].

Knighton's high school coach Jonathan Terry has told press [3], according to the New York Post, "[Knighton] has so much untapped talent. We haven't even touched the surface yet." While he's fast on the track, Knighton describes himself as someone who's chill "like a normal person" [4] and that he someday wants to pursue a career in medicine. As Knighton competes at his fist Olympics [5] keep reading to get to know the high school junior.

Erriyon Knighton Started Running Track Just 3 Years Ago

Former football teammate of Knighton, Jordaan Bailey, spoke with the New York Times about Knighton's rise to track stardom. According to Bailey, Knighton ran so fast during his first catch in football [6] that no one could touch him. Coach Joseph Sipp from Hillsborough High School [7] in Tampa recognised Knighton's talents and got him to shift from football to track.

Erriyon Knighton Is Sponsored by Adidas

The New York Times reports Knighton relinquished his high school and college athletics eligibility [8] to sign a six-figure deal with Adidas. Meaning he can only run professionally, not on a school team. In the same article it's reported that Knighton uses a portion of the money from the Adidas deal to help his mother financially.

Erriyon Knighton Beat Usain Bolt's Record at the Olympic Trials Semifinals

Clocking in at 19.88 in the 200m sprint, Knighton beat a Bolt's record of 19.93 [9] according to World Athletics.

Erriyon Knighton Beat Another Usain Bolt Record at the 200m Semifinals in Tokyo

Knighton beat Bolt's 18-year record of 20.13 at the 200m semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics by crossing the finish line at 20.02. This win also made Knighton the youngest male Olympian to make the 200m final in 37 years [10] since Jim Ryun in 1964, who was also 17 at the time he raced.

Erriyon Knighton Is Qualified to Medal at the Tokyo Olympics

After winning in the 200m semifinals on Tuesday, Aug. 3, Knighton could medal in the finals on Wednesday, Aug. 4. We're excited to watch him run tomorrow [11] morning!


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/get-to-know-17-year-old-olympic-track-star-erriyon-knighton-48447028