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17-Year-Old Sprinter Erriyon Knighton Breaks Another Usain Bolt Record

17-Year-Old Sprinter Erriyon Knighton Breaks Another Usain Bolt Record

The high school student is beginning to strike up a habit rubbing Usain​ Bolt's name out of the record books.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Erriyon Knighton has done it again.

The 17-year-old is on course for greatness after breaking yet another record previously held by sprint king Usain Bolt.

Competing at the US Olympic trials in Oregon, Knighton carved his name into the track and field history books after producing a record-shattering time in the under-20s 200m event.

Knighton's stellar performance in the sweltering 42°C heat saw him cross the finish line with an impressive time of 19.84 seconds.

Erriyon Knighton.
PA

That time rubs Usain Bolt's name out of the record books.

The Jamaican star's under-20s 200m record of 19.93s from way back in 2004 is now a thing of the past.

To put things into perspective, eight-time Olympic goal medallist Bolt didn't run that fast until he was almost 21 years of age.

Knighton is only 17 and is still in high school.

"It will probably sink in when I get home," Knighton said after the race.

"It's a really big achievement."

And this isn't the only longstanding record belonging to Bolt that Knighton has well and truly smashed.

Only last month he broke Bolt's 18-year 200m record of 20.13s for the under-18s event.

Knighton clocked a time of 20.11s.

With Knighton securing his spot on the US Olympic team alongside current world champion Noah Lyles, the Americans will undoubtedly be red hot favourites to clinch gold at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: olympics, Tokyo Olympics, Australia, Usain Bolt