“I was really seizing the moment, racing the best guys in America and globally. I was just going out there and having fun and just trying to see what I can do,” said Cooper Lutkenhaus after his performance in the 800m at the USATF World Championships that for a moment had America in shock. At just 16 years old, the athlete finished just behind 2019 world champion Donavan Brazier, who clocked 1:42.16. The second position was no loss for Lutkenhaus as he recorded 1:42.27. A time that broke records and helped him make American history.

Not only did he break the world record for the fastest performance for an athlete under 18. He also recorded the fourth-best time in U.S. history and the sixth-fastest one in the world this season. But that was not it. He qualified for the World with this performance and has now become the youngest American ever to compete in a World Athletics Championship. How does it feel?

In a press conference ahead of the World Championship, the Northwest High School junior was reminded of how he might not have thought of being here a year ago.”What’s the journey been like for you?” the journalist wanted to know. The 16-year-old answered, “The journey’s been awesome. To be able to sit in this seat next to some of the best athletes in the world at such a young age, it’s really exciting. So, I’m just trying to do as best as I can here and represent Team USA as well as I can. There’s just a lot of excitement going on this weekend.”

On that press conference table alone, he was sitting with Katie Moon, Masai Russell, Cordell Tinch, and Laulauga Tausaga. Not to speak of the rest of the big guns in the USA Camp like Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Sha’Carri Richardson, etc. Many Olympians and World Champions at once, for the teenager, of course, he is going to be excited.

Also, the 800m has Olympic gold medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, defending world champion Marco Arop, etc. The chances of the 16-year-old securing a podium among these men are extremely tough, and probably he even knows that too. But medal or no medal, this will be a vital experience for the young talent that will guarantee a medal in the future Olympics and World Championships.

For Cooper Lutkenhaus, Tokyo might just be where he flips the script

Life changed for the young gun after he broke the world record. His school gave him a special surprise, and of course, many eyes are on the teenager for what he does in Tokyo, but he is focused on high school races. In an interview, he was asked whether he or his team had received any interest from sponsors as a result of their recent success or popularity. Answering that, Cooper Lutkenhaus clarified that Tokyo is just a bonus.

He said, “I think just right now at the moment it’s more just focused on kind of the presence, uh, high school track obviously is something that I always look forward to, um, just district area, all, all the UIL season is always my favorite, um, and then obviously this is kind of just the cherry on top, so just, I’m just, I’m just excited to get out there and just see what I can do.” He has been a record breaker in these races as well.

The teenager won the UIL 6A State 800 meters with a time of 1:47.04, breaking the Texas state and the state-meet record for all classifications, previously set by Olympian Jonathan Johnson in 2001. Soon after, he ran 1:46.26, setting the U.S. high school outdoor national record and marking himself as one of the most exciting young middle-distance runners in the country.

As for sponsors, he has signed a sponsorship deal with Nike in August at just 16 years and 8 months old, making him one of the youngest American track athletes to go pro, slightly younger than peers like Tamari Davis, Erriyon Knighton, and Candace Hill. Nike has confirmed he is the youngest track and field athlete ever to sign a professional contract with the brand, though the specific details of the contract have not been disclosed.

How do you think Cooper will fare at the Tokyo World Championships? Drop us a comment with your prediction!