?Next Usain Bolt? Erriyon Knighton Had the Best Season for an U-18 Athlete With These Huge Achievements

Every aspiring sprinter dreams to reach the same heights as legendary Olympian Usain Bolt. Now, in a dream come true moment, American youngster, Erriyon Knighton, has surpassed not one but two of Bolt’s world records in 2021.

At 17, Erriyon Knighton had a terrific season, from a maiden Olympics appearance to breaking untouched world records. Surprisingly, the American rising star started his sprinting journey in 2019, having given up his footballing career.

Knighton broke Usain Bolt records

From speed to height, Knighton shares an uncanny resemblance to Bolt. The 8-time Olympic medalist had two long-standing junior world records in 200m which he had clocked in 2003 and 2004.

Remarkably, Erriyon broke both the records in 2021, a feat no one has reached in decades. During an athletic meet in Florida, he clocked a time of 20.11 seconds breaking Bolt’s 200m under 18-record. Astonishingly, he bettered his performance in the Olympic trials and surpassed Bolt’s other record in under-20 by running 19.88 seconds.

Finishing third in the Olympic trials, Knighton qualified for his first-ever mega quadrennial games. Erriyon is young, but he proved his potential, finishing in fourth place in the 200m race at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Record-breaking year

2021 has been an eventful and record-breaking year for one of the youngest American track and field Olympians. After breaking Bolt’s record in the under-18 category, he broke his own record three times. He started with 20.11 seconds and finally recorded his best performance with 19.84 seconds.

In the under-20 category as well, he first broke Bolt’s record with 19.88 seconds, and then his own with 19.84 seconds. While he has a stronghold in 200m events, he has proved his Bolt-like versatile spirit, by his 100m achievements. In 2021, he also clocked a 10.19 seconds time in the 100m race.

Breaking world records consecutively in 2021, Knighton has proved he is unstoppable. Do you think the young star can next beat Usain Bolt’s fastest time?

Also read: ?The 100m Was Very Open?: Usain Bolt on Lamont Marcell Jacobs Taking His Title