In the absence of Noah Lyles in the Diamond League final this season, Erriyon Knighton could have been the suitable candidate to carry out the weight of “America vs. The World” status. The four-time world champion, Justin Gatlin, nurtured the same thought. In his podcast, Ready Set Go, the veteran said, “I’ve always said. Erriyon is the future of especially USA 200m sprinting. He’s going to take that flagship.”

After the Paris Olympics, the fans built their hope around the wunderkind to settle things against Letsile Tebogo for the loss at the Stade de France. However, they will have to wait to see that day. 

Just 24 hours before the star-studded men’s 200m event at the Brussels Diamond League, the list of participants omitted Erriyon’s name. So the much-celebrated Diamond League final won’t see coach Holloway’s protégé proceed to establish dominance in Brussels in a category that eluded the famed Lyles at Paris. However, there’s no update yet, shedding light on the concrete reason leading to his bowing out. But unfortunately, the stakeholders have already validated the information. The Frenchman Ryan Zeze will take Knighton’s place tomorrow. Notably, after Grant Holloway’s exit, it is the second time someone from Mike Holloway’s coaching facility will not turn up in the $30,000 prized event.

Now, the responsibility will be on Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek to carry on the American opposition in the 200m event final in the Diamond League. But the task won’t be smooth sailing, especially in the presence of Letsile Tebogo. The reigning Olympic champion has already made his mindset clear—to end his most memorable summer on a high note. 

He might not care about the names against him tomorrow while taking his stride at the King Baudouin Stadium. Rather, his eyes will be set on a lofty goal: hoisting African supremacy in the absence of Noah Lyles and his successor, Erriyon Knighton. He has thrown his challenge in the middle of the sprinters to announce the bout. 

Just before starting his day in the Allianz Memorial Van Damme, the Motswana athlete said, “It’s 2 Africans against the rest of the world! It’s me and Joe, so I believe it will be an interesting race to see how Africans can do against the world.” By the name of Joe, he spoke about Joseph Fahnbulleh, competing in the 200m final tomorrow. Now, after Erriyon Knighton’s absence, the data also stands behind Tebogo, standing in fifth position in the men’s all-time 200m list. In such a moment, some words from the topper of that list regarding Erriyon might give goosebumps. 

Usain Bolt sees a successor but not in Noah Lyles 

Both Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green have appealed not to burden any sprinter by throwing him under Usain Bolt’s shadow. The Jamaican could never be chased, as two veterans believe. But the doyen rates Erriyon Knighton higher than Noah Lyles to take up his place in the track and field. 

In The Obi One Podcast, Bolt voted for Knighton, despite failing to recall the American sprinter’s actual name. But he did remember the scintillating times Knighton had stamped on the track. In the podcast, the former world champion laid out, “I think he [Erriyon Knighton] ran 19.40 something and he’s still like, he’s probably just turning 20. So he was pretty good.” He had justified reasons for bringing Erriyon’s name. At 17, the Georgian broke Usain Bolt’s 200m timing in the age group. Furthermore, he continued to show his color afterward. But at the Paris Olympics, things didn’t work out as per the expectations. He took up the fourth place after Noah Lyles. Now, his bowing out from the Brussels Diamond League ends the season for him.