Teen Sprinter Smashes His Own U-20 Record With Fastest 200 Meters Since 2012

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

Erriyon Knighton, who signed with adidas last year as a 17-year old, showed the world Saturday that he's still getting better and already one of the fastest men on the planet. 

Knighton torched a strong field that included reigning NCAA champion Joe Fahnbulleh of Florida and ran 19.49 seconds in the 200 meters at the Louisiana State University Invitational in Baton Rouge. 

Knighton's time is an Under-20 record, the fastest by anyone since 2012, and trails only Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Michael Johnson on the all-time list.

Fahnbulleh ran an NCAA-leading 19.92 and was the second athlete to go under the stadium record of 19.98.

RACE VIDEO ON LSU INSTAGRAM

“World lead and No. 4 all-time. He’s amazing,” coach Jonathan Terry said. “I honestly thought he would go 19.79, but not 19.49. That's insane. He was really given a gift from God. His training regimen and his ability to not focus on names and accomplishments others have achieved (are assets). He’s literally fearless and a true competitor.”

As a freshman in high school, Knighton was virtually unknown in the sport. In the last three years, he has broken age records set by Usain Bolt, finished fourth at the Olympic Games in the 200 meters, and put the track world on notice.

Terry said that losing in Tokyo has fueled Knighton's fire.

“He trains hard,” Terry explained. “He watched all of the athletes on the all-time list as he was growing up and getting into the sport. Now, he watches all his videos and we figure out how to get better as we watch film.”

One aspect of Knighton’s race that has been thoroughly examined is his start, and the work paid dividends,  including this weekend at the LSU Invitational.

“We worked on and broke down his start the past (few) weeks,” Terry said. “Our camp changed a couple of things and the rest is history. The way he accelerates off of the curve is to perfection and the strength of his race, as he would tell you.”

As for that new World U20 200m record, Canadian Olympian Aaron Kingsley Brown, doesn’t see it getting broken anytime soon.

“That men’s 200m World Junior Record will stand until Jesus returns lol,” he said on Twitter.

Olympic silver medalist and fellow adidas teammate Grant Holloway has taken Knighton under his wing and embraced him like a little brother. Holloway believes Knighton's era of dominance is just beginning.

“He is Erriyon 'Young Crick' Knighton,” Holloway said. “He is a special talent and if he doesn’t cut corners he will be the best to ever walk this planet."