Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 200m – Semifinal – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 3, 2021. Erriyon Knighton of the United States reacts after crossing the line to finish first in Heat 1 REUTERS/Phil Noble
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 200m – Semifinal – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 3, 2021. Erriyon Knighton of the United States reacts after crossing the line to finish first in Heat 1 REUTERS/Phil Noble
Considered to be the ‘Next Usain Bolt’ by many, Erriyon Knighton has set the stage on fire yet again. Becoming the youngest American Sprinter to qualify for the Olympics in over 50 years is a testament of his skill.
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Erriyon Knighton shines in Tom Jones Invitational
During the American Track League meet before the Olympics 2020, Knighton clocked in a time of 20.11 in the 200m event. This meant that he had broken Bolt’s record of 20.13 seconds set in 2003. Knighton set the track and field world ablaze post this as he beat Noah Lyles in the prelim and the semifinal heats of the Olympic qualification round.
He then went on to race in the 200m event at the Olympics where he finished fourth as Noah Lyles grabbed the Bronze. The highlight of the event for Knighton was the fact that he clocked in at 19.84 seconds.
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The 2022 Tom Jones Invitational event saw Olympics Bronze medalist Noah Lyles race against fourth-place finisher Erriyon Knighton. The 18year-old clocked in a personal best of 10.04 seconds. In a ‘photo-finish’, Noah Lyles came second with a time of 10.01 seconds. The time is Noah’s season-best.
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TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 03: Erriyon Knighton of The USA competes in round one of the Men’s 200m heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on August 03, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Briain’s Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake came in at third with a time of 10.19 seconds.
In other races at the event, Shania Collins and Mellissa Jefferson won their individual events while Trey Cunningham won his 110m hurdles heat in 13.22 seconds and the final in 13.38 seconds.
In a standout performance, Andy Owens smashed his own Puerto Rican Decathlon record with a score of 8528.
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Bolt and Knighton; Late Bloomers, Big Winners
Bolt is known for his late start to his athletics career. Similarly, the youngster Knighton did not take part in any athletics activities until he reached freshman year. Soon, though, the talented sprinter was signed by Adidas as he kept improving his times.
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The records set by Bolt are now in jeopardy as Erriyon looks like a proper threat to be able to go on and break them. The Paris Olympics would be on Knighton’s radar as he would be looking to break the 200m record of 19.19 seconds.
Written by
Edited by
Paras Pande