Quincy Wilson, the 16-year-old Maryland high school sophomore, recently outpaced renowned figures like Usain Bolt and Kirani James on the World U18 all-time list. At the Florida Relays, Wilson ran 45.19 seconds in the 400-meter dash, which automatically qualified him for the U.S. Olympic Trials. This means he is one step closer to the Paris Olympics and possibly breaking a 76-year-old record.

Remarkably, Wilson’s journey into the spotlight began at an even earlier age, as he made history as an Olympian at the age of 9 at the 2017 AAU Junior Olympics where he gave a glimpse of what was to come.

How Quincy Wilson made a splash at the Olympics at just 9 years of age

At the 2017 AAU Junior Olympics Track & Field event, a 9-year-old Quincy Wilson showcased remarkable talent in the 400m finals. He completed the race in 1:02.66, securing the top spot with a performance that ranked as the ninth-fastest 400-meter time in high school history. Reflecting on his achievement in an adorable post-race interview, Wilson expressed his initial excitement and nerves before the race, admitting uncertainty on how to approach the curve as his competitor gained ground.

He shared, “I started off and I was really excited about running today. And when I got to the curve, I didn’t know what to do because the guy was beating me. But then I thought when I come to the curve and just start sprinting.”

On being asked how it felt to cross the line first, Wilson replied, “It felt really good because last year I got fourth and this year it was a really big improvement.” This triumph marked a milestone in his burgeoning career.

Earlier in March, Wilson became the first prep athlete in 20 years to break 46 seconds in the 400m, clocking a time of 45.76 seconds at New Balance Nationals Indoor. In the process, he broke the indoor world record for the 400 meters in the under-18 age group and surpassed the 20-year-old record of Elzie Coleman who clocked 45.92s in 2004.

He followed it up with another spectacular performance at the Florida Relays 2024 on March 29. Wilson achieved a new milestone with his recent victory in the 400-meter run, becoming the 9 fastest high schooler in 400m outdoor history. His achievement also saw him break Usain Bolt’s time of 45.35s set in 2003.

Given his recent success and momentum, he hopes to make it to the Paris Olympics and become the youngest male Olympic gold medalist in track and field. The record is currently held by American Bob Mathias who was 17 years old when he won the top prize at the London Olympics in 1948.

But making it to the US Olympics team is no easy task. There will be stiff competition for places on the men’s 4×400-meter team. Still, Wilson can feel confident as he has received praise from American record holder in the 200m, Noah Lyles.

Noah Lyles praised Wilson after Florida Relays achievement

During an interview with Fitzroy Dunkley, Quincy Wilson opened up about his meticulous approach to studying videos featuring Lyles and Michael Norman to dissect their techniques and performance splits spanning from 50m to 200m. Expressing his long-standing admiration, Wilson confidently asserted, “I’ve looked up to them for a long time, but now I think it’s my turn. I hope I can make the team. I think I’ll go to the trials this summer.”

Despite acknowledging the fierce competition, notably from Noah Lyles, Quincy Wilson received praise from the champion himself. Lyles took to social media to express his admiration for the 16-year-old Bullis Track and Field prodigy’s potential by affirming, “I’m not putting any limits on @QuincyWilson5.”

Wilson’s ambitious goal to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics and to serve as an alternate on the 4x400m team reflects the remarkable resilience he has showcased since 2017. As the Olympic year unfolds, track fans wait to see what Wilson does next.

Read more: Drawing Comparisons to LeBron James, Quincy Wilson’s Close Aide Feels the Teen Sensation Is Headed Towards Greatness