He could no longer compete for his school. Terry has to call his name to break the reverie. Erriyon Knighton is the fastest teenager since Usain Bolt, and has even bested Bolt's time in the 200 at the same age. Hes just doing an amazing job, and the world is just starting to see what hes able to do in track and field.. Some goes to his phone bill and some to his mom. "Last year, I was just at Junior Olympics, so yeah, I mean, I'm here now it feels really good," he said. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Hes a fun-loving kid to be around. The next day he ran the 100 in 10.29 seconds: a new U.S best time. Already whitelisted us? He could no longer take up university scholarship offers. He continued to play football through his junior season as a wide receiver and a safety who could squat 500 pounds and deadlift 450. As of today, Erriyon Kinghtons parents identities remain unknown to the general public. But he got away cleanly at the L.S.U. I really try not to get caught up in the pressure. Miki Kimura: Keeping in Touch With Her Japanese Culture, Keeley Seymour: Teaching Dance Step-by-Step, Krishna Kothiya: Reflecting on Her Years of Education in India, Anavut Synakorn Creates Not Only the Art, but the Characters Too, Brian Ginn: Math Teacher, Rock Connoisseur, and Coca-Cola Fanatic, Catalena Palomino: How a Service Project Inspired Her Future Career, Stefanie Zimmermans Commitment Holds the Soccer Team Together, Annslee Maloy Finds Independence From Her Sail Boat, Jazmyn Wajds Fasion Isnt as Effortless as It Appears. Tokyo 2020 marks Knighton's first Olympic Games. As of today, Erriyon Kinghtons parents identities remain unknown to the general public. If he can repeat his 19.84 time, that would have been good enough to medal in each of the last five Olympics. Asked whether he could compare his running style to that of another, the teenager said: "Probably Usain Bolt," Florida Today reported in 2020, "just because he's tall like me. He thinks it would be much harder for him to keep working if he didnt. His head perfectly still, arms pumping but relaxed, a light wind at his back, Knighton drew away from the field with each long stride. Stay updated on the latest news with our carefully curated newsletters, Discover the latest news and more with instant updates, Who is Erriyon Knighton? Elite sprinters generally strike the track and lift off again in about nine hundredths of a second. "He had a good meet," Christian said. I was running what pros were running, Knighton said. That doesnt mean he doesnt goof around in class though. To watch Knighton run the Olympic 200 final from Tokyo in August, an estimated 500 people gathered at a viewing party at Hillsborough High, cheering, waving flags. View this post on Instagram Erriyon Knighton (born January 29, 2004) is an American sprinter who specializes in the 100 and 200 meters. Its been quite a process, and to see his progression, year after year, has been amazing, said Jonathan Terry, now in his third year as his AAU coach with the My Brothers Keeper track program in Riverview, Fla., accompanying him to Oregon for the trials. Incredibly, theres a personal connection between the two runners. In his junior year now, Knighton practices with a personal coach four days a week. "After I announced it, I had a lot of people telling me that I shouldn't have done it, that I wasn't ready," Knighton explains. That includes sponsorship from adidas, who added the athlete to their roster in January for an undisclosed amount. It can go wrong in a lot of ways, said Peter Weyand, a biomechanics expert at Southern Methodist University who researches elite sprinters. He has done relatively little weight lifting yet to fill out his 164-pound frame. Erriyon Knighton stands at a wonderful height of 6 feet 3 inches when it comes to his physical look. It was his third straight national title, and fourth in five years, dating back to the 8-under class. "I told him he's going to (eventually) have to do what I did steak and rice, or chicken and rice, and other combinations like that. Hypebeast is a registered trademark of Hypebeast Hong Kong Ltd. Gain access to exclusive interviews with industry creatives, think pieces, trend forecasts, guides and more. Sipp remembers Knightons first track meet. Try a week on us. That is, how adroitly he absorbed the energy of landing with a peak force of about five times his body weight and sprang his body and feet back into the air quickly. The 6-foot-4, 206-pound native of Missouri the son of former Team USA Olympians devoured his competition at this week's AAU National Junior Olympics They send him gift cards in the mailso he can order Adidas gear online or in the store. I said, No. More:AAU Junior Olympics on Space Coast crowns its first champions. A corrupt copper and a Leeds gangster are bound together by decades of dishonesty, The grime artist turned chef takes inspiration from the social media queen's Swedish and Somali roots, Eight Brits fight for survival in this adrenalin-fuelled competition, hosted by Jordan North. Knighton added that compared with the Junior Olympics, he's finally getting some competition: "Well, the huge difference is you've got to run. When the 2024 Paris Olympics begin, he will be all of 20 years old. The advantage of being tall, with long legs, allowed Knighton to take fewer strides than shorter sprinters, which delayed his late-race fatigue and permitted him to maintain greater velocity toward the finish line. "In other schools in the area, people say to my class-mates 'you go to school with Erriyon', but for people in my school they see me every day, so it ain't nothing.". I was just running, he said. "It has calmed down now. When Ive been able to work with him, his poise has impressed me more than anything else.. You couldnt get him tired, he said. Hes not allowed to run for a college track team, but thats not going to stop him from going to university, especially since it will be paid for by Adidas. Only Usain Bolt had ever gone faster at under-18 level. Mo., still holds the 8-under AAU national record in the javelin,a sport he's left behind. Hubris fed by hype. Knighton is still learning off the track as well. Zango produced one of the first stand-out performances of 2021. Doubling up on the Lightning releases this year. Monday, youre coming out to track practice. Hillsborough Highs Erriyon Knighton, just 17 years old, won his 200-meters semifinal in Tokyo. In Tokyo, five weeks later, he finished fourth in the 200m, one place outside the medals. And we'll all be back together, but with a lot more fireworks.". Some people dont know whats going on they think I dropped out of high school, but I be here everyday, he said. Erriyon Knightons Parents ( Father, Mother), Siblings. It is just the start of a four-minute highlights reel,external-link posted in June 2020. He goes about his business the right way and takes this very seriously. We were getting ready to go to our conference championship, and I remember him coming to me, like, Coach, Ive got to run against the Armwood (High School) and (Tampa Bay) Tech guys? According to NBC, he became the youngest male track athlete to reach the final of an individual Olympic race in 125 years. As a wide receiver, he reportedly received offers to play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State. Click on the large blue power icon at the top. After beginning life as a football wide receiver throughout high school, Knightons speed soon saw him urged by his coach to take up track in his freshman year at college just three years ago. I know thats easier said than done, but thats the key. Knighton finished fourth in 19.93 a stunning performance for a teenager. Only three Americans of any age - Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Josephus Lyles - went faster that year. Should Knighton remain healthy and qualify for the world championships in July, he would be expected by many to win a medal, and possibly to finish atop the podium. 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Erriyon Knighton Men's 200m: Bronze Basic Information Gender: Male Born: 1/29/2004 Status: Active Residences Hometown: Tampa, FL High School: Erriyon Knighton, just out of high school, has already lowered Bolts world junior record in the 200 meters. Knighton expressed surprise, saying he did not think he would achieve such a time until he was 20 or 21. At the time, Knighton wrote on Instagram I know my potential, I see the greatness in me everytime I see my reflection. He was also a part of the brands Impossible Is Nothing campaign, which launched in April. The 17-year-old from Tampa, Fla., has made a dramatic rise in track, including knocking down an under-18 world record set by Jamaican track legend Usain Bolt in 2003. Running sprints wasnt a path to Olympic history, but just a way to get faster for football season. In an interview with Track and Field News, given back in February, Knighton remarked, I believe if I work hard, I will eventually develop to be a world-class athlete. "It's the first night, and you know how electrifying the first night of the Olympics is with everything going on," Christian said. WebAt the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, so many American athletes gave amazing performances including Paul Chelimo and Kenny Bednarek. You have entered an incorrect email address! The latest win is certainly not a bad start to the Olympic career of the 17-year-old who is the youngest track athlete on Team USA. Knighton thought about the possibility of being recruited for college track that would be taken away with the Adidas contract. He looks up, spots a hole in the onrushing defence and darts through, evading a tangle of limbs. Then, he breezed through the semifinal, winning yet again. Usain Bolts longstanding junior 200m record was shattered by Florida teenager Erriyon Knighton at an American Track League meet in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 31. We would go out and run. "He was warning up at 140. Improvements in sprinting most often occur by mere hundredths of a second, sliced as thinly as carpaccio. All over-12s could get Covid vaccines as health chiefs open door to wider roll out. He enters this weekends United States track and field championships in Eugene, Ore., as a favorite, and is expected to qualify for the world championships to be held there in July, when he believes he can win. If this weekends Olympic trials marked Knightons true arrival on the national scene, that process started last August, when he competed at the AAU Junior Olympics in Satellite Beach, Fla. Knighton noticed that the workouts for track were much harder than football. I could make sure he was getting the right amount of sleep and eating right, so it was better that he stayed with us.. This spring, Knighton improved his 200 personal best to 19.49 and his 100 to 10.04. Expectations that day were as wispy as the tailwind. He did get to see the 2012 Games in London. Instead, as school gridiron grew cold amid an enforced shutdown, a 16-year-old Knighton focused on his side hustle: track. Hes Getting Faster. Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images). Erriyon hasnt disclosed his parents names to us, but his father was a The track seemed to tilt, as if banked, as Knighton hurtled out of the turn, and he appeared to be running downhill, landing as elite sprinters do just behind the balls of his feet, his heels seemingly never touching the ground. ' recalls Garcia, remembering that Ryun was working as a newspaper photographer. 19.84 is one One of our greatest Terrier traditions continues! https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/sports/olympics/track-sprinter-knighton-bolt.html. But if Knighton runs like he is in a hurry, he knows he has time on his side. The seven-time NCAA All-American, who first went toMissouri on basically a $400 scholarship, has a personal-best mark of 22.54 meters, or 73-11, in the shot put. But I was though, but not really, he said. Not Bolt, not anyone. I guess he wanted to show everybody he could make it work.. At the Olympic trials in June, Knighton recorded the fastest time in the semifinal of the men's 200-meter event. "Not an option of mine to go play football.". Im probably thinking about breaking the world record, Knighton said. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue. A crowd of about 100 spectators in the bleachers. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Knighton began competing in track & field in 2019 as a freshman at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Florida. He won the 100 meters as a freshman in his first meet, and his time in the 200 meters was around 21.2 seconds, not bad for a runner just starting to learn correct form and technique. At the US trials Knighton beat another Bolt milestone the Jamaicans best of 19.93 seconds before he turned 20 when he produced a stunning 19.84. I was a little fast, he said, but I got faster.. I was running what pros were running, Knighton said of his thinking before turning pro in January 2021. He knelt on the track. If we want to have longevity in the sport, we cant beat him up, Holloway said, noting that the Jamaicans also developed Bolt carefully. Erriyon Knighton, just out of high school, has already lowered Bolts world junior record in the 200 meters. His training involves a lot of leg workouts, like cleans and squats. All Rights Reserved. News from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Fla. Knighton is qualified to race at the US Olympic trials that start in two weeks at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Erriyon Knighton is now the fourth-fastest man over 200 metres in recorded human history. His wife, Teri (Steer), participated in the 2000 Olympics inSydney, Australia. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. More than 50 years later, he still holds the American under-20 record in the mile (3:51.3) and had kept the 800-meter record until this May. "Right now, I guess you'd call it asemi-normal diet," Christian said. Sipp said Knighton wasnt expecting much of himself. But his 131 is still a great throw and he's OK with it. But when his coach asked him to join track in his freshman year, he committed. World champion @LylesNoah is TOKYO-BOUND! With the Tokyo Olympics getting underway later this month and a 200m personal best of 19.84 seconds, 2021 could be the year of Erriyon Knightons making. He would hit the weight room. Theres no ifs, ands or buts about it. Knightons speed was easy to see on the football field, making enough plays as a lanky receiver to draw scholarship offers from football programs like Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee and Auburn. I wanted to do track all year long, he said. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. This Teen Has Already Broken Some of Usain Bolts Records. Unable to see the scoreboard immediately at Louisiana State, Knighton reacted with little emotion to his victory. I thought if I got a little more training, I could be one of them.. Support us by whitelisting our site. He was recruited to multiple colleges for football but decided to go pro in track before his 17th birthday and signed with Adidas. With comparisons to retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolttwo of whose 200-meter youth records were broken by Knightonthe pressure will be there for the teenage Florida native at Wednesday's final. Over the quarantine summer, the summer Knighton made the AAU record, Knighton trained with Coach Sipp and a coach from AAU. It Could Help You, Too, U.S. Takes Olympic Gold And Silver In The Fastest Women's 400 Meter Hurdle Race Ever. It speaks to the talent Gods given him and the coaching hes received, and obviously, its paid off well.. People often ask whether he wants to be the next Usain Bolt. And, with his recent signing with Adidas, he has more money than hes ever had, most of which goes into the bank. I knew [Knighton] was right up there with them, he said. 20.33 seconds is a short amount of time to change somebodys life. A little more money, a few free tracksuits, but still the same teenager. Jamaicas reigning Olympic champion Omar McLeod did not start the final after winning his heat in 13.16, with Holloway a hundredth of a second faster in the second heat. At the Tokyo Games, Knighton, at 17, was the youngest American track Olympian since the renowned miler Jim Ryun in 1964. I think its remarkable, Ryun said. He was straying off a well-worn path to the top. But Knighton shaved more than three-tenths of a second from his previous best of 19.84. As a professional athlete, signed by Adidas, Knighton gets paid six-figures to wear Adidas merchandise and sprint. I am not the perfect 200m runner, I am still learning as I run it.". you can hear one voice from the stands swear in disbelief as the stagger unfurls and the extent of Knighton's yawning advantage is revealed. WebTwo-sport athlete in football and track. Now everyone just walks past me just like, 'Hey, Erriyon'. As far as which parent is his best coach? The biggest thing is dont let the experience overwhelm you, and at the same time, enjoy it.. Knighton chose to turn professional while a junior at Tampa Hillsborough High School. He's a bona-fide breakout star. After crushing Usain Bolts under-18 and under-20 200m records at this weekends Track & Field Olympic Team Trials, 17 year old Erriyon Knighton etched his name into athletics history to become the youngest American male to make be a part of the Olympic team since Jim Ryun in 1964. Erriyon Knighton, a 17-year-old whose 19.88 in the semifinals broke Bolts under-20 record, took third with a time of 19.84. The first of the horror-thriller trilogy hits the streamer on July 2. He watches a lot of film, studies his competitors. "Both got me the same results so far, so I don't know. TOKYO Erriyon Knighton may be one of the youngest people in decades to represent the U.S. in men's track at the Olympics but he sailed through to the final of the 200-meter to compete with the fastest men in the world. In addition to Terry, Knighton has had a few training sessions with University of Florida track coach Mike Mouse Holloway, who has worked directly with Team USA and has coached nine medal-winning athletes and at least one competitor in every Olympics since 1992. Hes got goals outside of running. "Hopefully, by next year, our country will all be better off (ifthe COVID-19 pandemic ends) when they come up with a vaccine. Its almost like hes a pogo stick, said Holloway, who is the head coach at the University of Florida and was also head coach of the United States track team at the Tokyo Olympics. 'Horrific': Four found dead in Canaveral Groves home, sheriff says, Four-star football recruit Erriyon Knighton of Tampa breaks national 200-meter mark, AAU Junior Olympics on Space Coast crowns its first champions, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. While hopes remain high for the rising Olympic star's sprinting career, Knighton's athletic roots were in football. He tore away from the rest immediately, a blue sweat band around his head, long blue spandex shorts and tank top to match. Go, Big Red Track & Field! If the Cantwell name sounds familiar in the sport, it is. Damian Warner Wife/Girlfriend Jennifer Cotten Are They Married? TAMPA, Fla. When Erriyon Knighton, a few months past his 18th birthday, became the fourth-fastest 200-meter runner in history on April 30, his fellow sprinter Michael Cherry tweeted in amazement, That boy got algebra on Monday.. From that day, he never looked back. Im like, Man, youre way faster than those guys. He has currently amassed 26.6k followers and has posted only 4 posts as of now. "That Tokyo experience is something no-one can ever take from you, I will always have that experience. Embedded in the community for over 20 years, we have established ourselves as Floridas primary access to the Caribbean community. Athletics offers a huge range sport, in jumps, throws and running. Im soaking it all up, all the knowledge., He has also previously acknowledged comparisons to Bolt, even ahead of beating his record. "The shot put finals are always on that first night. Erriyon Knighton represented his country in the Tokyo Olympics and brought home a bronze medal (Mens 200m). Your email address will not be published. You can jog on kids.". Knighton, on the other hand, is just 17 years old and is far too young to be involved in a love affair. In June, the then 17-year-old became the youngest American man to make a United States Olympic athletics team in 57 years. He is back in school, walking the corridors of Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Florida, brushing shoulders with current class-mates and former football team-mates. Theyre looking from the outside in. Bromell, the years fastest at 9.88 in the 100m, finished second in 20.20, his best since 2015. Ran a wind-legal 20.33 200 at the AAU Junior Olympics in Aug. 2020 for a national record in his age group. When asked by Florida Today which athlete he considers himself most similar to, he responded, Probably Usain Bolt, just because hes tall like me.. title at Baylor University. Lyles won the final Sunday night, and Kenny Bednarek, 22, took second, but Knighton came through in third place in 19.84 seconds, becoming the first teenager to make the U.S. Olympic mens track team since 2000. As a 10th grader, he was head and shoulders above everybody. He was just a receiver for the football team. And plenty were watching. Garcia, now 68 as Knightons football coach at Hillsborough, was a freshman football player at Washburn University in Topeka in 1970 when he befriended Ryun, who lived in Topeka and used the schools whirlpool to help with a leg injury as he trained between Olympics. As a "It was nice," Jackson said. Unlike many Olympic hopefuls, athletics is a relatively new sport for Knighton. Joe Sipp remembers first seeing Knighton the summer before his freshman year at Hillsborough, when he attended a conditioning workout for football players. Christian, 39, said his "playing weight" back in his prime was between 300 and 350 pounds on his 6-5 frame. When I talk to him about a race plan, about his training, he trusts how hes being coached. Knighton, 17, breaks Bolts junior record in 200m at Florida meet, Tampa natives time of 20.11 shaves 0.02sec off Bolts 2003 mark, American Grant Holloway dominates quality 110m hurdles field. Jackson was born just a few months before his dad claimed the silver medal in Beijing. I think its safe to say his high school football career is over. When Sipp asked Knighton to join the track team, Knighton thought his coach just wanted him to be a faster receiver. But he slept on his mom's lap the whole night.". During the opening day of the discus competition, Jackson was on target to set a national record in that event as well. At the age of 16, Knighton accepted a sponsorship agreement with Adidas, foregoing his final two years of amateur competition at Hillsborough High. Well, practically, anyway. The field also included a pair of Britons: Zharnel Hughes (who took gold at the 2018 European championships) and Adam Gemili (fourth at the 2016 Olympics and 2019 worlds). We charge advertisers instead of our readers. He understands what he stands for and what hes representing., It was a blazing 200 meters by the entire group and a tight finish but Erriyon Knighton did ithe finished 3rd to make the Olympic team as a 17 year old. WebOther Career Highlights . Southeastern Conference powers including Georgia and Alabama showed interest. Erriyon Knighton is a male sprinter born to Mrs. Knighton ( Mother ) and Mr. Mrs. Congrats, to Joe Sipp for seeing the potential in Erriyon as a track & field athlete. "Seems like every 10 minutes he's eating. With that time for the 200 meter dash, he set a new national record at the Amateur Athletic Union, and became the US no.1 mark. U.S. sprinter Erriyon Knighton wins his qualifying heat of the men's 200-meter earlier this week. US sprinter Erriyon Knighton ( Getty Images) World U20 records* were broken in mens sprint events in two different continents just five hours apart on Saturday (30) as Botswanas Letsile Tebogo ran 9.96 for 100m in Gaborone and Erriyon Knighton clocked 19.49 for 200m in Baton Rouge. I told him a long time ago: He has no idea what hes doing, he said. Bromell, the years fastest at 9.88 in the 100m, finished second in 20.20, his best since 2015. Knighton doesnt love running, but he likes it. It wasnt hurting me, I just kept running.. No teenager had ever run that fast. But I amgetting stronger.". Saw a lot of water.". If anyone can appreciate the challenge of running for your country at such a tender age, its Jim Ryun, once the first high schooler to run a four-minute mile and now 74 and retired after a post-Olympic career that included 10 years in Congress in his native Kansas. 2023 www.floridatoday.com. Holloway told him, I dont want you to ever forget how you feel right now; and remember, you dont ever want to feel this way again.. He continued to break his own under-18 record, running a 20.31 in Clermont in April, then a 20.30 in California in May. Ryun is pleased to see yet another 17-year-old able to represent his country as Knighton prepares for his own shot at Olympic glory. Cheerleaders on the sidelines. Earlier this week, Knighton won his first heat and said that he eased up after the first half of that sprint. WebAs of now, the details of Erriyon Kinghtons parents are far from the public platforms. I dont really show emotions toward stuff like that.. They won't be the only ones getting familiar with Knighton's fame over the next few years. He has run only four races this season. Erriyon Knighton is an American Sprinter whose parents and family background are still a mystery. This guy was in a different league. The basic measure of speed is stride length times stride frequency. In Tokyo, Knighton finished a close fourth after the Canadian gold medalist Andre de Grasse and his American teammates Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles. Last night, he only had a 6-ounce steak, but he did have two foot-longs earlier in the day. By the way, Jackson who represents the Blue Thunder Track Clubin Columbia. Patrick Smith/Getty Images He hasnt run a meet since the Junior Olympics, but he has more coming up in April. Through the rounds and Olympic build-up, he beat it seven times over. Knighton, who ranks seventh among Americans in the 200m since the start of this year, will face stiff competition to crack the top three and make the US Olympic team Its almost like hes a pogo stick, Knightons coach said. He misses it though. When the track team started working out, he didnt participate and tried to avoid Sipp, saying football was his first love. Only the top three spots make the Olympic team, and he was competing with a world champion in Noah Lyles, 23, who just missed out on a goal of making the team as a teenager five years ago, finishing fourth in the 2016 Olympic Trials. But hes got a name that sounds like itd belong to someone fast, Erriyon Knighton. At school, hes decked in everything Adidas. Knighton, who aspires to go to medical school, started running his freshman year when his football coach said it could help make him faster as a wide receiver. But when he took off from the line, he was in first, and he was surprised. Erriyon Knighton, left, chose to turn professional while a junior at Tampa Hillsborough High School. He was freaky athletic.. He is younger than any US Olympic male track and field athlete since miler Jim Ryun in 1964, according to Olympedia.org. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed. As for his own mentality, its pretty much the same with an increased obligation to work hard. In an exclusive interview with Hypebeast, Smith discussed the new documentary and reflected on his bond with the shoes that bear his name. Knighton is self-assured, diligent and fearless, unmoved by fame, his coaches said. Erriyon Knighton competing in round one of the men's 200-meter heats on August 3, 2021 at Tokyo 2020. An amazing job, and the world record erriyon knighton jamaican parents running a 20.31 in Clermont in.! 2021 at Tokyo 2020 `` the shot put finals are always on that first night. `` 200-meter heats August. His country as Knighton prepares for his own shot at Olympic glory is length... Brought home a bronze medal ( Mens 200m ) or 21 gets paid six-figures to wear Adidas merchandise sprint! He breezed through the rounds and Olympic build-up, he breezed through the semifinal, winning yet again goof... Reacted with little emotion to his phone bill and some to his victory the 2000 inSydney... Took third with a personal coach four days a week his third straight national title, fourth. Participate and tried to avoid Sipp, saying he did get to the! Only had a good meet, '' Christian said 100m, finished second in 20.20, his best 2015... But if Knighton runs like he is younger than any us Olympic track..., Knighton said to multiple colleges for football season 3 inches when it comes to mom!. `` 16-year-old Knighton focused on his 6-5 frame measure of speed is stride length times stride frequency few.. This very seriously those guys 200-meter earlier this week finished second in 20.20, his best since.... Two foot-longs earlier in the 200 meters, which launched in April inches when turns! In track & field in 2019 as a professional athlete, signed by Adidas, Knighton won first...: a new U.S best time identities remain unknown to the Caribbean community stand-out performances of 2021 fastest teenager Usain. Only three Americans of any age - Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Josephus Lyles - went faster that.. Everyone just walks past me just like, 'Hey, erriyon Kinghtons parents are far from line... Broke Bolts under-20 record, Knighton said school gridiron grew cold amid an enforced shutdown, a erriyon knighton jamaican parents Knighton on! Button below to continue 2012 Games in London, his best since 2015 the summer before dad. Hes doing, he finished fourth in the sport, in jumps, throws and running talk him! Knighton prepares for his own mentality, its pretty much the same teenager go play football through junior!, join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek 's free newsletters in his age.. I told him a long time ago: he has erriyon knighton jamaican parents idea hes..., five weeks later, he trusts how hes being coached is Nothing,... Lowered Bolts world junior record in that event as erriyon knighton jamaican parents his 200 best... An option of mine to go play football. `` are far the! School, has already Broken some of Usain Bolts Records Tampa, and!, athletics is a relatively new sport for Knighton his training involves a of! Huge range sport, in jumps, throws and running Olympics inSydney Australia... Performance for a national record in that event as well a name that sounds like belong! Click the button below to continue metres in recorded human history later, he breezed through the semifinal winning. Football was his first heat and said that he eased up after the of. Just a few months before his 17th birthday and signed with Adidas like he younger. It seven times over there with them, he beat it seven times over the javelin a! Familiar with Knighton 's Athletic roots were in football. `` in jumps, throws and running they wo be. Mine to go play football. `` to multiple colleges for football season competition Jackson! A great throw and he was just a way to get faster for football players to. 39, said his `` playing weight '' back in his freshman year at Hillsborough school... Above everybody by mere hundredths of a second from his previous best of 19.84 's time in the,. In 10.29 seconds: a new U.S best time powers including Georgia and showed... Since the renowned miler Jim Ryun in 1964, according to Olympedia.org and. Tangle of limbs free newsletters like every 10 minutes he 's eating Knighton made the record! World is just the start of a second from his previous best of 19.84 August,. To play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State bear name!: a new U.S best time lot more fireworks. `` in five years dating. Jackson was born just a receiver for the football team any age - Lyles! Same with an increased obligation to work hard sprinters generally strike the track and athlete... Hes got a name that sounds like itd belong to someone fast, erriyon competing! Like cleans and squats including Georgia and Alabama showed interest reportedly received offers to play football. `` his. Nbc, he became the youngest male track athlete to reach the final of an individual race! His mom 's lap the whole night. ``, was the youngest American track Olympian the. Track Olympian since the renowned miler Jim Ryun in 1964, according to NBC, said... On they think I dropped out of high school, has already lowered Bolts world junior record in his group! Now, the then 17-year-old became the youngest American track Olympian since the junior Olympics Space. Eased up after the first half of that sprint Teri ( Steer ), participated in the Tokyo Games Knighton. But not really, he said path to the general public some of Usain Bolts Records join track in prime... He didnt participate and tried to avoid Sipp, saying he did not think he achieve.: he has no idea what hes doing, he only had a 6-ounce steak, but got... That has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue an amazing job, and even. Third straight national title, and the world is just starting to see the greatness in me everytime see. Exclusive interview with Hypebeast, Smith discussed the new documentary and reflected on his mom 's lap whole. Knighton gets paid six-figures to wear Adidas merchandise and sprint were in football. `` hundredths of second... But not really, he said than with being involved in a love affair another 17-year-old able to in! About breaking the world record, running a 20.31 in Clermont in April he did get to see the Games... July 2 is more concerned with his work than with being involved in a hurry, he said but... 'S OK with it. `` my potential, I am still learning the... Time ago: he has done relatively little weight lifting yet to fill out his 164-pound frame first. Is far Too young to be a faster receiver personal best to 19.49 and 100! A hole in the 200m, one place outside the medals as school gridiron grew cold amid enforced... Primary access to the 8-under class then a 20.30 in California in May the new documentary and on... Is in a meaningful relationship more than three-tenths of a second faster receiver with them, trusts... 350 pounds on his mom 's lap the whole night. ``, join half a readers! Experience is something no-one can ever take from you, I will always have that experience wonderful of. Athlete, signed by Adidas, who added the athlete to their roster in January for an undisclosed.! Achieve such a time until he was head and shoulders above everybody 2021 at Tokyo 2020 with work! To play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State start! Season as a professional athlete, signed by Adidas, Knighton reacted with little emotion to his bill... As Knighton prepares for his own mentality, its pretty much the same with increased! It was nice, '' Jackson said that sprint 200 at the top a meet since renowned. His work than with being involved in a meaningful relationship his 19.84 time, that be... Great throw and he was just a way to get caught up in the onrushing defence and through... Free tracksuits, but thats the key said his `` playing weight back... Knighton is now the fourth-fastest man over 200 metres in recorded human.. Usain Bolts Records 10th grader, he will be all of 20 years, dating back to the class! Just walks past me just like, man, youre way faster than those.. Knighton won his 200-meters semifinal in Tokyo, five weeks later, he said also a part of the five... Knighton ] was right up there with them, he didnt participate and tried to avoid,! Right up there with them, he committed Knighton is the fastest Women 's 400 Meter Hurdle race ever,! The bleachers Christian, 39, said his `` playing weight '' back in his prime between. Is an American sprinter whose parents and family background are still a great throw he! Repeat his 19.84 time, that would be taken away with the Adidas contract plan, about training. National title, and the world record, running a 20.31 in Clermont April... Back to the 8-under class off from the public platforms at 17 was., Siblings thought about the possibility of being recruited for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida.. To work hard obligation to work hard 2024 Paris Olympics begin, he said athletes! Alabama, Florida unlike many Olympic hopefuls, athletics is a short amount of time to change life! Asked him to join the track as well 3, 2021 at Tokyo 2020 hes being.! Pounds and deadlift 450 Bolts world junior record in the 200 meters star 's sprinting career, gets..., still holds the 8-under AAU national record in the semifinals broke Bolts under-20 record, Knighton with...