When talking about track and field, a name that comes instantly to mind is Usain Bolt. The records that marked the ‘Fastest Man Alive’ are unbeaten to the date. No one thought these records would be broken anytime soon, but one man has stepped in the way. That man, or shall say a boy, is an 18-year-old sensation, Erriyon Knighton.

The teenager has already broken the sub-20 second barrier in the 200m category and is well on his way to potentially “dethrone” the Jamaican. With a time of 19.49seconds at the LSU Invitational, he has become the 4 fastest man of all time.

Erriyon Knighton, faster than Usain at 18

Knighton has a history similar to that of Bolt. Both were ardent fans of cricket and also wanted to play professionally. Both got into athletics late. And both sent the world into a frenzy whenever they raced. But Erriyon is ‘one-upping’ his idol by running faster.

The LSU Invitationals are one of the most important events to take place before the World Athletics Championships. In this year’s meet, Knighton took part in the 200m event and clocked in a remarkable, wind-legal, time of 19.49seconds.

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He has now become the fourth fastest man in the 200m category. Ahead of him are three of the all-time greats of the sport. Michael Johnson (19.32s), Yohan Blake (19.26s), and Usain Bolt (19.19s) complete the lineup.

But the most important thing about Knighton’s time is the fact that he is faster than Usain when he was 18. Bolt’s PB as an 18- year-old was 19.99seconds.

The stats clearly show that whilst Bolt was faster at 15, Knighton has consistently improved his times in the last four years to overtake the ‘Jamaican Lightning Bolt.’

It is insane to even imagine that at only 18, Knighton is just 0.3seconds away from breaking Usain Bolt’s record.

Noticeably, Bolt was 22 when he set the world record. If we were to consider that Knighton would reach his prime at 21-22, it is a fair assumption that Bolt’s record is well on its way to being shattered by the young American.

Who is Erriyon Knighton- USA’s Olympic Sensation That Beat Usain Bolt’s Record?

Breaking records is becoming a habit

Knighton has become the athlete who is always hungry for records. Whenever he takes center stage, he’s aiming to break one record or another. And it’s always one man whose records get broken. The teenage prodigy has another record under his belt which he took away from the Jamaican. Bolt’s Junior record before turning 20 was 19.93seconds in the 200m category. Erriyon beat this record aged just 17.

By doing so, he also recorded the second-fastest time by an American in the 200m event. He is right behind American great Michael Johnson on the list. Erriyon is also the youngest American to qualify for US Athletics Contingent for Olympics in over 50 years.

Having left behind some iconic athletes, Erriyon is on his way to achieving greatness. He is regarded as the best and the fastest sprinter of the upcoming generation.

If he can maintain his fitness and not sustain any injuries, it is only a matter of time before Erriyon breaks Bolt’s records.

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