‘Next Usain Bolt’ Erriyon Knighton Had the Best Season for an U-18 Athlete With These Huge Achievements

Published 10/16/2021, 2:09 AM EDT

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Every aspiring sprinter dreams to reach the same heights as legendary Olympian Usain Bolt. Now, in a dream come true moment, American youngster, Erriyon Knighton, has surpassed not one but two of Bolt’s world records in 2021.

At 17, Erriyon Knighton had a terrific season, from a maiden Olympics appearance to breaking untouched world records. Surprisingly, the American rising star started his sprinting journey in 2019, having given up his footballing career.

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Knighton broke Usain Bolt records

From speed to height, Knighton shares an uncanny resemblance to Bolt. The 8-time Olympic medalist had two long-standing junior world records in 200m which he had clocked in 2003 and 2004.

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Remarkably, Erriyon broke both the records in 2021, a feat no one has reached in decades. During an athletic meet in Florida, he clocked a time of 20.11 seconds breaking Bolt’s 200m under 18-record. Astonishingly, he bettered his performance in the Olympic trials and surpassed Bolt’s other record in under-20 by running 19.88 seconds.

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Finishing third in the Olympic trials, Knighton qualified for his first-ever mega quadrennial games. Erriyon is young, but he proved his potential, finishing in fourth place in the 200m race at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Record-breaking year

2021 has been an eventful and record-breaking year for one of the youngest American track and field Olympians. After breaking Bolt’s record in the under-18 category, he broke his own record three times. He started with 20.11 seconds and finally recorded his best performance with 19.84 seconds.

In the under-20 category as well, he first broke Bolt’s record with 19.88 seconds, and then his own with 19.84 seconds. While he has a stronghold in 200m events, he has proved his Bolt-like versatile spirit, by his 100m achievements. In 2021, he also clocked a 10.19 seconds time in the 100m race.

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Breaking world records consecutively in 2021, Knighton has proved he is unstoppable. Do you think the young star can next beat Usain Bolt’s fastest time?

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“The 100m Was Very Open”: Usain Bolt on Lamont Marcell Jacobs Taking His Title

 

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Written by:

Shreya Verma

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Shreya Verma is a US Sports writer at EssentiallySports. A post-graduation student in political science, Shreya is also a professional 10m air pistol shooter. Taking after her athlete father, she was naturally inclined towards the athletic life.
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