Usain Bolt lays claim to be the faster man in history. But this record could be under threat thanks to the phenomenal speed of a junior at Tampa Hillsborough High School.
Erriyon Knighton, who turned 17 in January, is a professional track athlete, and yesterday, he ran a 20.11-second 200m race. This beat a record that Bolt's had held since 2003.
Knighton's potential was realized early, hence his decision to turn pro while still a junior at Tampa Hillsborough High School.
This week's amazing effort sees Knighton qualified to race at the US Olympic trials commencing in two weeks at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. If successful there, he will become the youngest US Olympic male track and field athlete since 1964.
The path to success
Initially, Knighton was a receiver for the high school football team. In his freshman year, his coach asked him to join the track team, and Knighton accepted in what proved to be a great decision. He thought joining the track team would help improve his sprinting skills for football and allow him to score more touchdowns.
“I’m just being. Chilling, like I’m a normal person.” Erryon Knighton
Knighton and his coaches soon realized the enormous talent they had on their hands. As a freshman in 2019, Knighton won the AAU Junior Olympic Games 200-meter title. The next year he performed even better winning two gold medals- one in the 100 meters and another on the 200 meters.
His time in the 200 meters last year was a sophomore class record and was as the fastest time recorded by a sixteen-year-old.
He was still ranked as a top-five wide receiver in the United States and received offers from college football programs. This included offers from national champion Alabama as well as colleges in his home state of Florida. Both Florida and Florida State wanted him in their football program. But Knighton decided his future lay with athletics and not football.
" Last year, when I joined AAU I got my confidence and thought I am pretty good at this and I will stick with it as another sport. I wanted to go 10.4 or 10.3, but my plans changed after Junior Olympics. Even though I love football, after what I just ran, I have to give track 110 percent. I think that is what's best for me and what my future holds." Erryon Knighton
The world record race
In January, the junior from Hillsborough High in Tampa turned professional, forgoing his remaining two years of amateur competition at Hillsborough High. He signed deals with Adidas and Stellar Athletics. He was called the next Usain Bolt.
Given his efforts this week, the comparison is proving apt. Entering the race, he wasn't predicted to finish in the top three. Despite his underdog status, he powered home during the final straight. He ran down Trayvon Bromell, a gold medal favorite for the Tokyo Olympics 100m, to not only take the title but break Bolt's long-standing world record.
"I've definitely got to respect them, top of the world. But I feel like I brought my A-game today." Erryon Knighton
It seems the future shines bright for the Tampa student phenom who switched from football to track. I am sure all of Tampa, and in fact, Florida, will be cheering him on and hoping he makes it to the Tokyo Olympics.
And if he doesn't make it this year, I have a feeling the kid from Tampa will be on the podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Erriyon Knighton is a name we won't forget.
You can watch the full record-breaking race here.