Japanese sprint sensation Sorato Shimizu has revealed his next ambition as the teenager continues to thrive.
Shimizu set the record for the fastest U18 world best time earlier this year when he ran the 100m in Hiroshima in 10 seconds flat.
He’s already run a quicker 100m than Usain Bolt managed at 20, though the Jamaican legend focussed on 200m rather than 100m in his teenage years.
The 16-year-old was named in the Japan squad for the World Athletics Championship in September as one of eight for the men’s 4x100 relay team.
Shimizu made the Japan team in Tokyo
Delegation head Yamazaki Kazuhiko was keen to tap into Shimizu’s untapped potential, stating during the team announcement: “He ran a 10.00 as a high schooler.
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“It’s very difficult for him to run at the senior level on a regular basis given the rules but we are counting on his unknown quantity which allowed him to run a 10.00. We wanted to give ourselves as many option as possible.”
Shimizu was a reserve and while he didn’t race, the experience will have served the youngster well.
And Shimizu has now outlined his Olympic ambition as he looks to shatter records and run a sub-10 second race when he turns 17 in February.
“I’m 16 now and next year when I’m 17 I hope to run a sub-10. After that, three years down the road when I’m 19, 20, I want to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics.
“I want to run a 9 while I’m still in high school so for now, that’s what I’m working towards.”
Shimizu is generating plenty of excitement but is taking his rise to stardom in his stride.
“People found out about me. I’m aware there are more people watching me now. I feel the support in that regard,” he said. “It’s nice to have people rooting for you. I really don’t feel much pressure.”
New sports added to 2028 Olympics roster
The 2028 Olympics in LA is still some way away, but a total of five new sports have been added to the event.
Baseball/softball are both returning to the event after appearing at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Flag-football, which is a non-contact version of American football, has also been added to the roster, while Lacrosse will be played in a faster, six-a-side version called ‘Sixes’.
Cricket with feature for the first time since 1900, with the Twenty20 format expected to implemented, while Squash has also made the cut.
Shimizu will hope to claim gold in America in 2028, but he’ll face stiff competition in the 100m as Noah Lyles, who pipped Kishane Thompson to first in the 100m final in Paris, looking to defend his crown on home turf.
Topics: Athletics, Olympics, Usain Bolt
Ben McAleer