“World Record at Stake”- Fans Go in a Frenzy as Erriyon Knighton Reaches Close to Usain Bolt’s 14-Year-Old Record

Published 05/01/2022, 8:45 AM EDT

Erriyon Knighton shocked the world by clocking one of the fastest 200m times ever at the LSU Invitational on Saturday. The 18-year-old athlete not only won the race but also clocked the 4th fastest time ever at 19.49 seconds. This puts him on the list with iconic sprinters like Yohan Blake and Michael Johnson and, most importantly, Usain Bolt.

Notably, Knighton broke his own U20 record of 9.84 seconds, which he previously clocked in the Olympic trials last year. His previous record broke the U20 record by Lightning Bolt. Knighton has set himself the task of being the fastest and looks like he is on his way to achieving that.

Article continues below this ad

Meanwhile, fans also think that Erriyon Knighton has immense potential. They are of the opinion that Usain Bolt’s 14-year-old unbeaten record is now under threat by Knighton. Notably, Knighton is just 18 years old and already setting unbeatable record timings.

Fans are super impressed by 18-year-old Erriyon Knighton

Erriyon Knighton recorded the 2nd fastest 200m by an American on Saturday. Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson holds the a blistering time of 19.32 seconds. Meanwhile, Jamaican athlete Yohan Blake has run the closest time to Usain Bolt, and that is 19.26 seconds.

“I’m Not Sure if..”- US Legend Allyson Felix Announces Retirement at 36

However, both Johnson and Blake achieved this in the prime of their career. Meanwhile, Knighton has just turned professional, and he is already close to beating Bolt’s record. This means that he has enough competing years on his hand to try to beat Bolt’s record. Therefore, many fans have compared Knighton to the sprinting legend.

This kid finished 4th in the 200m final in a time of 19.93s at the last Olympics at just age 17!!! Freaking 17!!!
The winning time was 19.62s by Andre De Grasse and Knighton at age 18 has already bested that! This kid is gonna be a legend at this rate. Mark his name.
— David C.O.L. Michael (@07SuperNerd) April 30, 2022

Let me add that Erriyon Knighton's new WJR of 19.49 over 200m in Baton Rouge earlier on is the fastest wind-legal time ever set before August in a season, Kenny Bednarek also setting a windy 19.49 (6.1) in Hobbs in May 2019.
— Costas Goulas (@LsabreAvenger) April 30, 2022

#ErriyonKnighton smashed his own World Junior record of 19.84 a few hours ago, taking it down to 19.49. If you watch the footage he looks insanely fast, even easing up in the last few strides. #UsainBolt's 200 World record of 19.19 could be under threat soon.
— Ian Stone (@stoneian41) May 1, 2022

“Scary what this guy can do, and his huge prospects. Just a reminder that Usain Bolt’s 200m WR is 19.19s…Knighton is up to something!” tweeted a track and field fan.

“Usain Bolt World Record at stake!”

Erriyon Knighton was 17 years old at the Olympic trials when he put forward a timing of 19.84 seconds. With this, he already beat Usain Bolt’s junior world record and become the 4th fastest man in 200m history, beating the likes of Noah Lyles.

Previous records look shaky in front of Knighton

Fans are shaken at the timing that Knighton has already clocked at 18 years old. Moreover, it’s just April, and he has his entire season in front of him. Notably, his achievement is one for the books because he is very young in age and still under 20.

Erriyon Knighton is 18 years, 4 months old. Usain Bolt’s PR at that age was 19.93. It took Bolt another three years to break 19.5. https://t.co/gYmn6EypwB
— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) April 30, 2022

Article continues below this ad

If you are not a track and field fan, it's hard to know what to say after a day like today. Trayvon Bromell ran a 9.75 100 (wind just over the limit at 2.1) and Erriyon Knighton a legal 19.49 200, 4th-fastest ever: Bolt, Blake, MJ, Knighton. He's just 18. And it's … April.
— Alan Abrahamson (@alanabrahamson) May 1, 2022

This means that he has many years of training ahead of him, which will allow him to reach his full potential. Usain Bolt achieved this 19.19 record when he was 22 years old. But Knighton has come really close to this at just 18 years.

Article continues below this ad

Fans are already claiming that Knighton is a legend in the making. Meanwhile, the track and field season has just started, and there are many more events coming up. Erriyon will be one to watch out for at all of these events.

Watch This Story: John Daly on His Lost Dream of Playing in the NFL for the Colts

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Richa Goswami is a US Sports writer at EssentiallySports. As an adherent learner, she uses her journalistic persona to navigate through new skills. Richa has completed her schooling at Don Bosco.

Edited by:

Darryl Pinto

“World Record at Stake”- Fans Go in a Frenzy as Erriyon Knighton Reaches Close to Usain Bolt’s 14-Year-Old Record

Fans are super impressed by 18-year-old Erriyon Knighton

Trending

Dale Jr Unmasks Teresa Earnhardt’s Refusal to Sell Him His Late Father’s Prized Possession That Forced Relocation Move

Jimmie Johnson “Racing With One Arm Tied Behind His Back,” Claims Dale Jr as He Trashes Chase Elliott’s Sufficient Practice Rant

Shaq Makes Big Claim That Can End LeBron James’ Future With Lakers After Nuggets Series

After Team USA’s Defence for Nike, Sha’Carri Richardson and Athing Mu Flaunting Different Olympic Outfits Resurfaces

Masters Horror Lands Jon Rahm & Co in Deep Trouble as Stubborn Greg Norman Refuses to Compromise

Previous records look shaky in front of Knighton