On the eve of Indoor WAC 2024, Noah Lyles might have a repeated look into the participation list in the categories of 100m, 200m, and 400m track and field affairs. Fred Kerley has already culminated in 100 and 400m sprinting chances. But for the 200m engagement, Noah Lyles will have to face a phenom who is on the edge of his teenage days. The American sprinting prodigy registered his name in history by clicking nearer the sub-19 category. But an ultimate happiness was yet to be touched by him. 

As per the new sprinting sensation, his sole observation would go for attaining the sub-19 benchmark in his favorite sprinting event of 200m. The upcoming Indoor WC games stand resolutely between him and his reason for merriment. However, the 20-year-old has numbers to save the day. 

Stopping the clock under 20 before entering his 20s 

Erriyon Knighton’s tussle with Usain Bolt’s shadow already attested to be track and field center stage for the last few seasons. However, social media track and field aficionado, RoriDunk meticulously approached all the phenomenal feats Erriyon Knighton achieved being a U20 athlete, rupturing senior championships. The prized post came on X with a caption, “Erriyon Knighton turns 20 at the end of this month and will go down as the greatest junior 200m runner in history. His 19.49 200m PB makes him the 5th fastest man EVER in the event and doubles as the junior record”. With that, the anecdotist justified his statement with three revelations. 

The first one came with “He’s the youngest man to run a sub 20 second 200m at only 17 years old with 19.88” lines. Definitely, it was about the LSU Invitational stint. But that was significantly shorter than Noah Lyles’ feat in 200m. The second was the hearty shows Knighton inflicted in the 200m events for the last two seasons. He credited his name with the first 13 best timings in the junior age-based performances. Olympic Games sprinting spearhead Usain Bolt came to the 14th position with a hoary 19.93 timing in 200m. The third one came with the 19-year-old athlete’s magnificent achievements in senior championships, even being a U20 athlete. That’s what makes Erriyon Knighton an Olympic games proponent. 

The fast lane against Noah Lyles

Now, Erriyon Knighton is eagerly waiting to topple the 200m world record made by Usain Bolt. The Indoor WC in Glasgow could be the best occasion to achieve it. All he would have to do is surpass the 19.19 mark. That might be easy as his top timing is just fractions away from that. But the WAC 2023 silver medalist knows he has to overcome a champion named Noah Lyles as well. 

Read more: Erriyon Knighton Who Surpassed Usain Bolt’s Record, Storms to Another Victory in Men’s 200m

Noah also steadies his eyes on that record. Even the 26-year-old grabbed the record of being the fastest 200m American sprinter, by clocking 19.31 seconds. And, to dishearten Knighton more, Noah defeated him seven times in the last nine encounters between them in 200m. But again, Erriyon Knighton has numbers backing him. 

Also read: From Tyson Gay to Usain Bolt-Top 5 Richest Track and Field Stars Out there