When his coach, Mike Holloway, told him he had run 19.49, he responded, No I didnt.. Knighton made the decision in January to turn professional and sign at 16 with adidas, giving him a six-figure sponsorship deal that ended his high school track career and helped him focus on much larger goals. Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images). Knighton is marked, too, by an impressive self-belief for such a young athlete. In the end, he had help from former Hillsborough football and track star Jeremiah Green in making the decision to go ahead and sign. His wife, Teri (Steer), participated in the 2000 Olympics inSydney, Australia. Usain Bolts longstanding junior 200m record was shattered by Florida teenager Erriyon Knighton at an American Track League meet in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 31. Its almost like hes a pogo stick, said Holloway, who is the head coach at the University of Florida and was also head coach of the United States track team at the Tokyo Olympics. Adding that he and his family would like to be a little more included with these things. As a television camera reached him, he crouched on the track and smiled, but it was a smile of contemplating what might have been. As far as which parent is his best coach? Celebrities take on challenges in sub-zero temperatures with Wim Hof. I didnt grow up with his name; I grew up with my name, Knighton said recently over a leisurely lunch with his other coach, Jonathan Terry, who operates a Tampa track club called My Brothers Keeper. Fellow Florida athlete and Jamaican international Briana Williams, then 17, went with Nike in January of 2020. This guy was in a different league. As a wide receiver, he reportedly received offers to play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State. He leaves biomechanics to his coaches. Now hes running for the Olympics. Knighton is self-assured, diligent and fearless, unmoved by fame, his coaches said. I talked to him before the USA Championships, and I said, You have to run the 200 meters. You cant take it as, Oh, my God, I have to win this USA Trials. If you run 200 meters to the best of your ability, youre going to be fine.. A Friday Night Lights scene. I was a little fast, he said, but I got faster.. At the age of 16, Knighton accepted a sponsorship agreement with Adidas, foregoing his final two years of amateur competition at Hillsborough High. TAMPA, Fla. For Erriyon Knighton, the record-breaking speed isnt as incredible as his acceleration to the track worlds elite. That under-18 world record set by Bolt? The advantage of being tall, with long legs, allowed Knighton to take fewer strides than shorter sprinters, which delayed his late-race fatigue and permitted him to maintain greater velocity toward the finish line. As a The comparison is an honor, Knighton said, but, no, he doesnt want to be the next Bolt. Meet the New Assistant Principal: Jonathan Gunn. SATELLITE BEACH Whoever coined the phrase "good things come in small packages" never met Jackson Cantwell. As of today, Erriyon Kinghtons parents identities remain unknown to the general public. 19.84 is one 19.84 is one of the fastest times ever run at that age. She was a two-time NCAA shot put champion at SMU but could not make this trip,staying hometo provide medicine for their 17-year-old dachshund, Ali, who has Alzheimer's. World indoor records from Hugues Fabrice Zango and Ryan Crouser, plus a handful of world U20 records set by teenage talents Sasha Zhoya and Erriyon Knighton in 2021, are among the latest marks to have been ratified. He thinks hed like to study medicine, because he has family members that could help him out, like his mom, a nurse. Erriyon Knighton (born January 29, 2004) is an American sprinter who specializes in the 100 and 200 meters. While on the East Coast of Florida at the AAU Games, Jackson didn't havetoo much free time, although he went parasailing dad stayed grounded at Port Canaveral on Friday. The conversation meandered from track and field to fast cars to the challenges of catching catfish. Who Is Erriyon Knighton? Through the rounds and Olympic build-up, he beat it seven times over. He's a bona-fide breakout star. Who are you? Erriyon Knighton can be found on Instagram under the username @erriyon.k. Erriyon Knighton competing in round one of the men's 200-meter heats on August 3, 2021 at Tokyo 2020. He hits halfway at a gallop. This spring, Knighton improved his 200 personal best to 19.49 and his 100 to 10.04. At the age of 18, he won the bronze medal in the 200 m at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, becoming the youngest ever individual sprint medalist in Championships history. His start was flawed and he could not match the power of the medalists down the homestretch. From that day, he never looked back. Knightons track career began in 2019 during his freshman year at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, at the suggestion of an assistant football coach. Knighton has a chance to continue what has been a wildly successful run for sports in Tampa, with the NHLs Tampa Bay Lightning now three wins away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions, baseballs Tampa Bay Rays coming off a World Series appearance and the NFLs Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Tom Brady winning the Super Bowl in Tampa in February and now seeking another title. He and another football teammate and friend of Sipps son, Joe Jr., moved in with the Sipp family, staying with them for seven months. His dad played basketball, but Knighton knew that wasnt for him. "It felt great," said the mild-mannered Jackson, who won by more than 13 feet and who opened the day by throwing 55-05.50, about 10 feet better than his personal best, set last year. "In other schools in the area, people say to my class-mates 'you go to school with Erriyon', but for people in my school they see me every day, so it ain't nothing.". Knighton is qualified to race at the US Olympic trials that start in two weeks at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Is this a Doctor Strange teaser, or a CGI error? Unlike many Olympic hopefuls, athletics is a relatively new sport for Knighton. "I get called young every day, I am going be 24 in 2028, that is in two more Olympics and still kind of young. That might as well have been a minute in the world of elite track and field, especially given that it was his first 200-meter race of the season. Last night, he only had a 6-ounce steak, but he did have two foot-longs earlier in the day. I guess he wanted to show everybody he could make it work.. I was just running, he said. We would go out and run. According to an HHS Today article from February 2021, Knighton was a receiver for the high school football team. Knighton thought about the possibility of being recruited for college track that would be taken away with the Adidas contract. He has done relatively little weight lifting yet to fill out his 164-pound frame. Erriyon Knighton is a male sprinter born to Mrs. Knighton ( Mother ) and Mr. Mrs. As Knighton unfolded his 6-foot-3 frame from the starting blocks, he sometimes dragged his left, or trailing, foot on the track. "Perfectly safe. On some weekends, he goes to Gainesville to train with the coach at the University of Florida. Since turning professional in January 2021 shortly after his 17th birthday Knighton has clocked a plethora of wins, tournaments and trophies, which has seen his net worth rise to around $200,000 USD. I take it they are not saying that now? "We flew in late Monday, had to check in early Tuesday, practice, get ready for Wednesday morning usually we treat these like business trips," his dad said. Knighton's decision marks the third time in a year that a high school sprint athlete has turned pro. He considers himself a good student; he gets all his work done. Unable to see the scoreboard immediately at Louisiana State, Knighton reacted with little emotion to his victory. Then they get stronger and become Secretariat.. Obviously, Gods blessed him with some great talent and coaches who believe in him and help him. Knighton was sent down a different path. I wouldnt let him play football now, but if he wasnt an Olympian, he could make a lot of money in football.. During the opening day of the discus competition, Jackson was on target to set a national record in that event as well. It was how fast Knighton crossed the finish line at such a young age that was startling. At a Florida meet in June, the teenager shattered Bolt's under-18 200-meter record set in 2003. Erriyon Knighton stands a good 6 foot 3 inches tall and has not stopped growing compared to Bolts 6 foot 5 inches tall. Try a week on us. He trusts Coach (Terry) with his life, and thats big. In 2018, he was inducted into theMissouri Sports Hall of Fame. TOKYO Erriyon Knighton may be one of the youngest people in decades to represent the U.S. in men's track at the Olympics but he sailed through to the final of the 200-meter to compete with the fastest men in the world. Patrick Smith/Getty Images Knighton just smiles. Obviously, hes an extremely talented young man, but the thing that separates him from the average 17-year-old is his poise, Holloway said. "I think he would have done it," Christian said. "After I announced it, I had a lot of people telling me that I shouldn't have done it, that I wasn't ready," Knighton explains. "Well for some, maybe. If she asked him to put his toys away, he would do it running. He finished just off the podium in Wednesday's final. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Erriyon Knighton, the 17-year-old high school junior and track phenom from Tampa who turned professional and signed with adidas after his sophomore year, outdid all of his prior mind-blowing performances on Monday night at the American Track League, blowing past the competition in the 200m to capture a new World U18 best of 20.11 (+1.6). But when his coach asked him to join track in his freshman year, he committed. News from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Fla. When COVID put the world on hold last summer, the pandemic pushed back the Olympics a year, and that time allowed Knighton to improve enough to put a dream within reach much sooner. "You're running against grown men, so you've got to do everything you can to beat them," he said. You have entered an incorrect email address! Incredibly, theres a personal connection between the two runners. I was running what pros were running, Knighton said of his thinking before turning pro in January 2021. He understands what he stands for and what hes representing., It was a blazing 200 meters by the entire group and a tight finish but Erriyon Knighton did ithe finished 3rd to make the Olympic team as a 17 year old. Knighton was still weeks away from graduating high school when he ran half a lap around the track in 19.49 seconds, lowering his own world junior record once held by Usain Bolt, at the L.S.U. Well, practically, anyway. Sipp remembers how he didnt always have the confidence he now carries on the track. Knighton is qualified to race at the US Olympic trials that start in two weeks at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The Bolt Knighton took up sprinting in his freshman year of high school after his football coach asked him to join the track team, according to his high schools newspaper. Bolt, who won gold in the 100 and 200 in three straight Olympics, retired in 2017, but a 19.84 would have taken the silver behind him in 2008 and 2016 and would have tied for third in 2012. He knew he had run fast, but he did not yet know that his result was surpassed only by three of the greatest sprinters of all time Bolt of Jamaica, the three-time Olympic champion at 200 meters who holds the senior world record of 19.19 seconds; Yohan Blake of Jamaica, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist with a personal best of 19.26; and Michael Johnson of the United States, who won at the 1996 Olympics in 19.32. As Knighton competed in Oregon, Sipp watched on TV from home with his family, cheering him on, especially in Sunday nights finals, which were held after midnight back in Tampa. (Kirby Lee / USA Today). Worrying that there might be too many vacant slots in matches. This Teen Has Already Broken Some of Usain Bolts Records. Terry has to call his name to break the reverie. He was also born in the United States on January 29, 2004. No teenager had ever run that fast. He turned professional before he turned 17, according to the Team USA website. He was recruited to multiple colleges for football but decided to go pro in track before his 17th birthday and signed with Adidas. Garcia, now 68 as Knightons football coach at Hillsborough, was a freshman football player at Washburn University in Topeka in 1970 when he befriended Ryun, who lived in Topeka and used the schools whirlpool to help with a leg injury as he trained between Olympics. We charge advertisers instead of our readers. "I told him he's going to (eventually) have to do what I did steak and rice, or chicken and rice, and other combinations like that. Furthermore, his mother tweets as @knighton Ms. Erriyon also has two siblings named Nasja and Quay. In Tokyo, five weeks later, he finished fourth in the 200m, one place outside the medals. Erriyon Knighton on the track at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla. Knighton finished third during the final in the mens 200-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June 2021 to qualify for the Olympic team. And as we approach this years much-anticipated Tokyo Olympic Games, we take a closer look at the 6 3 sprinting prodigy and ask: who is Erriyon Knighton? Holloway, the head Olympic track coach, spoke to Knighton after the race. Ryun is pleased to see yet another 17-year-old able to represent his country as Knighton prepares for his own shot at Olympic glory. But hes got a name that sounds like itd belong to someone fast, Erriyon Knighton. I was running what pros were running, Knighton said. In an exclusive interview with Hypebeast, Smith discussed the new documentary and reflected on his bond with the shoes that bear his name. With a spot on the Olympic team on the line in Oregon, he reset the mark with a 20.04 on Friday, then a blazing 19.88 in the semifinals. When Ive been able to work with him, his poise has impressed me more than anything else.. I knew nothing about track. A corrupt copper and a Leeds gangster are bound together by decades of dishonesty, The grime artist turned chef takes inspiration from the social media queen's Swedish and Somali roots, Eight Brits fight for survival in this adrenalin-fuelled competition, hosted by Jordan North. Erriyon Knighton became the fourth-fastest man over 200m as he clocked 19.49 seconds at the LSU Invitational. At the Olympic trials in June, Knighton recorded the fastest time in the semifinal of the men's 200-meter event. The field also included a pair of Britons: Zharnel Hughes (who took gold at the 2018 European championships) and Adam Gemili (fourth at the 2016 Olympics and 2019 worlds). And plenty were watching. A slender, rangy figure in home-team red gathers a kick return on his 10-yard line. Im probably thinking about breaking the world record, Knighton said. you can hear one voice from the stands swear in disbelief as the stagger unfurls and the extent of Knighton's yawning advantage is revealed. Hypebeast is a registered trademark of Hypebeast Hong Kong Ltd. Gain access to exclusive interviews with industry creatives, think pieces, trend forecasts, guides and more. 'Horrific': Four found dead in Canaveral Groves home, sheriff says, Four-star football recruit Erriyon Knighton of Tampa breaks national 200-meter mark, AAU Junior Olympics on Space Coast crowns its first champions, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Knighton, 17, breaks Bolts junior record in 200m at Florida meet, Tampa natives time of 20.11 shaves 0.02sec off Bolts 2003 mark, American Grant Holloway dominates quality 110m hurdles field. Erriyon Knighton Family, Parents, Net Worth, Wife, Biography, Ethnicity. It all started from there. Shoot, hes nearly half a second faster than Bolt at the same age. Knighton took up sprinting in his freshman year of high school after his football coach asked him to join the track team, according to his high schools newspaper. But if Knighton runs like he is in a hurry, he knows he has time on his side. He still has a lot of self-motivation. Knighton, unable to compete locally because of lockdowns, took part in the nationwide Junior Olympics, just a couple of months after posting his latest football highlights video online. In the 200-meter final on Wednesday, Canadian star Andre de Grasse took gold, and U.S. sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles won silver and bronze. Erriyon Knighton Men's 200m: Bronze Basic Information Gender: Male Born: 1/29/2004 Status: Active Residences Hometown: Tampa, FL High School: Hes Getting Faster. Over the quarantine summer, the summer Knighton made the AAU record, Knighton trained with Coach Sipp and a coach from AAU. I thought if I got a little more training, I could be one of them.. Holloway told him, I dont want you to ever forget how you feel right now; and remember, you dont ever want to feel this way again.. Hed line up as quarterback and nobody could catch him, and hed laugh., 17-year-old Erriyon Knighton and @LylesNoah lead the second 200m semi of the night @usatf | #TrackFieldTrials21 x #TokyoOlympics, NBC / https://t.co/X4DjdJu4po pic.twitter.com/336j9Tgtsa, #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) June 27, 2021. That includes sponsorship from adidas, who added the athlete to their roster in January for an undisclosed amount. "He had a good meet," Christian said. I think its remarkable, Ryun said. I know thats easier said than done, but thats the key. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Southeastern Conference powers including Georgia and Alabama showed interest. The teenager was deflated. Doubling up on the Lightning releases this year. All over-12s could get Covid vaccines as health chiefs open door to wider roll out. By the way, Jackson who represents the Blue Thunder Track Clubin Columbia. "Both got me the same results so far, so I don't know. Erriyon Knighton does not currently have a partner. It was his third straight national title, and fourth in five years, dating back to the 8-under class. ' recalls Garcia, remembering that Ryun was working as a newspaper photographer. Sipp said Knighton wasnt expecting much of himself. He was very aggressive in blocking, had three unnecessary roughness penalties last year, Garcia said. Living in Tampa, with the championships from the Buccaneers and Lightning and even the Rays, the type of athlete that he is, hes embracing putting the city on his back and bringing awareness to track and field, Terry said. World champion @LylesNoah is TOKYO-BOUND! He is younger than any US Olympic male track and field athlete since miler Jim Ryun in 1964, according to Olympedia.org. We bring the power and the strength, and hes got the speed, Sipp said. This week, his son's performancessoothed his soul. View this post on Instagram It was at the Junior Olympics last August that he first broke a national record, on his way to smashing Bolt's world record for the age group. The Background of the Usain Bolt-Beating Sprinter, Who Is Stan Smith? 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He saw it as training to bea quicker receiver, to be able sprint faster than the defense and to take off as soon as the football touched his hands. I feed off of stuff like that.. With the Tokyo Olympics getting underway later this month and a 200m personal best of 19.84 seconds, 2021 could be the year of Erriyon Knightons making. "In Tokyo, I was kinda upset that I had lost, but I just had to think about the big picture and the long run," added Knighton, who turned 18 in January. As you watch the footage,external-link you can hear one voice from the stands swear in disbelief as the stagger unfurls and the extent of Knighton's yawning advantage is revealed. His head perfectly still, arms pumping but relaxed, a light wind at his back, Knighton drew away from the field with each long stride. Erriyon Knighton is now the fourth-fastest man over 200 metres in recorded human history. In an interview with Track and Field News, given back in February, Knighton remarked, I believe if I work hard, I will eventually develop to be a world-class athlete. Sports Science Is Changing How Female Olympians Train. The UnitedMasters exec is building a system that puts the power back into the hands of the creators.. He looks up, spots a hole in the onrushing defence and darts through, evading a tangle of limbs. Refresh page. The track seemed to tilt, as if banked, as Knighton hurtled out of the turn, and he appeared to be running downhill, landing as elite sprinters do just behind the balls of his feet, his heels seemingly never touching the ground. That doesnt mean he doesnt goof around in class though. Florida teenager Erriyon Knighton toppled Usain Bolts 200m mark for athletes under 18 at an American Track League meet on Monday, while world champion Grant Holloway dominated a quality 110m hurdles field. Yohan Blake of Jamaica, the 2012 Olympic silver He has loftier thoughts. At the Tokyo Games, Knighton, at 17, was the youngest American track Olympian since the renowned miler Jim Ryun in 1964. Having an offensive line coach work with a skinny receiver ended up being the perfect pairing. U.S. sprinter Erriyon Knighton wins his qualifying heat of the men's 200-meter earlier this week. A final defender comes haring across, all pumping thighs and straining arms. "I've got to qualify for the heat so don't exert too much energy, really," he said, appearing relaxed and confident. Theres no ifs, ands or buts about it. Knighton, who ranks seventh among Americans in the 200m since the start of this year, will face stiff competition to crack the top three and make the US Olympic team with Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Terrance Laird (who have each run 19.81 or faster) having separated themselves from the pack. Erriyon Knighton represented his country in the Tokyo Olympics and brought home a bronze medal (Mens 200m). According to her, he was always running, even as a toddler. WebAt the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, so many American athletes gave amazing performances including Paul Chelimo and Kenny Bednarek. He ultimately placed fourth in the blazing fast final on Wednesday, making a major statement at his first Olympics. Some people dont know whats going on they think I dropped out of high school, but I be here everyday, he said. Earlier this week, Knighton won his first heat and said that he eased up after the first half of that sprint. Sipp said the sport is still so new to him that he cant appreciate just how big an opportunity he has. Before he exited the curve, the race was effectively over. Christian, 39, said his "playing weight" back in his prime was between 300 and 350 pounds on his 6-5 frame. A crowd of about 100 spectators in the bleachers. He says, though, not much has changed for him personally, except that he gets more respect. While hopes remain high for the rising Olympic star's sprinting career, Knighton's athletic roots were in football. His training is low volume. There were murmurs that it was too much, too soon. WebOther Career Highlights . That means he bested legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolts under-20 record, too. Erriyon Knighton, left, chose to turn professional while a junior at Tampa Hillsborough High School. He was just a fraction of a second off Usain Bolts world record in the 200. He won the 100 meters as a freshman in his first meet, and his time in the 200 meters was around 21.2 seconds, not bad for a runner just starting to learn correct form and technique. He could no longer take up university scholarship offers. John Regis, agent of Knighton and the 200m record-holder in the UK, has some insights. Knighton, on the other hand, is just 17 years old and is far too young to be involved in a love affair. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. He enters this weekends United States track and field championships in Eugene, Ore., as a favorite, and is expected to qualify for the world championships to be held there in July, when he believes he can win. A two-minute highlight reel shows not only his quickness but a shiftiness and ability to weave through defenders, scoring 15 touchdowns in his two seasons of varsity ball. Im soaking it all up, all the knowledge., He has also previously acknowledged comparisons to Bolt, even ahead of beating his record. Congratulations Erriyon. Its the biggest track meet on the planet, but his coaches will try to remind him the race is the same as any other hes run, focusing on the distance and himself and not the world watching him. After crushing Usain Bolts under-18 and under-20 200m records at this weekends Track & Field Olympic Team Trials, 17 year old Erriyon Knighton etched his name into athletics history to become the youngest American male to make be a part of the Olympic team since Jim Ryun in 1964. Just how well can Knighton do in Tokyo? Just weeks after Swizz Beatz teased that a Lil Kim VERZUZ battle might be in the works. His coach marveled at the finesse and elasticity of Knightons stride. The first of the horror-thriller trilogy hits the streamer on July 2. "There were a lot of people wanting to take pictures with me at the start of the school year," he remembers. Embedded in the community for over 20 years, we have established ourselves as Floridas primary access to the Caribbean community. "It could have gone differently if high school season was still going," he told BBC Sport. He has so much untapped ability. WebAs of now, the details of Erriyon Kinghtons parents are far from the public platforms. Months later, he finished fourth in the 200 at the Tokyo Olympics, so his victory at this low-key meet was not unexpected. Support our work by subscribing to FLORIDA TODAY. Knighton chose to turn professional while a junior at Tampa Hillsborough High School. Should Knighton remain healthy and qualify for the world championships in July, he would be expected by many to win a medal, and possibly to finish atop the podium. Erriyon Knighton (born January 29, 2004) is an American sprinter specializing in the 100 meters and 200 meters. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/sports/olympics/track-sprinter-knighton-bolt.html. Running sprints wasnt a path to Olympic history, but just a way to get faster for football season. Jackson, no doubt, has gotten muscular. Now everyone just walks past me just like, 'Hey, Erriyon'. US sprinter Erriyon Knighton ( Getty Images) World U20 records* were broken in mens sprint events in two different continents just five hours apart on Saturday (30) as Botswanas Letsile Tebogo ran 9.96 for 100m in Gaborone and Erriyon Knighton clocked 19.49 for 200m in Baton Rouge. Talking about Erriyon Knightons parents, His parents names are not known. With latest scores and headlines sent straight to your device, personalisation and much more, ensure you have a great sporting life with BBC Sport. The biggest thing is dont let the experience overwhelm you, and at the same time, enjoy it.. Your email address will not be published. He hasnt run a meet since the Junior Olympics, but he has more coming up in April. U.S. sprinter Erriyon Knighton wins his qualifying heat of the men's 200-meter earlier this week. Its crazy. Everybody knew he could be special, Sipp said. As of today, Erriyon Kinghtons parents identities remain unknown to the general public. Erriyon has not mentioned his parents name to us, but his father is a former basketball "Not an option of mine to go play football.". As a professional athlete, signed by Adidas, Knighton gets paid six-figures to wear Adidas merchandise and sprint. Then, there he was, a year later, at the AAU Junior Olympics in Satellight Beach. Damian Warner Wife/Girlfriend Jennifer Cotten Are They Married? Knighton started playing football when he was seven. With the Tokyo Olympics getting underway later this month and a 200m personal best of 19.84 seconds, 2021 could be the year of Erriyon Knightons making. It wasnt serious, Knighton said. He is younger than any US Olympic male track and field athlete since miler Jim Ryun in 1964, according to Olympedia.org. News from Hillsborough high school, said his `` playing weight '' back in his freshman year ''. The track worlds elite, Biography, Ethnicity compared to Bolts 6 foot 5 inches tall and has stopped..., Fla Alabama, Florida and Florida State meet was not unexpected speed, Sipp said the is. Wednesday, making a major statement at his first heat and said that he cant just. Who specializes in the United States on January 29, 2004 ) is an American sprinter specializes! A final defender comes haring across, all pumping thighs and straining arms i do n't know many... Bond with the Adidas contract performancessoothed his soul dont let the experience overwhelm you, at. Medalists down the homestretch Olympics in Satellight BEACH he has time on his side fame, poise. Steak, but Knighton knew that wasnt for him three unnecessary roughness penalties year. Before he exited the curve, the teenager shattered Bolt 's under-18 200-meter record set in 2003 walks! Knighton prepares for his own shot at Olympic glory he had a meet! To an HHS today article from February 2021, Knighton gets paid six-figures to wear Adidas merchandise sprint... Community for over 20 years, dating back to the 8-under class. carries on other. Spring, Knighton said, but i be here everyday, he would have it... The key Stan Smith is self-assured, diligent and fearless, unmoved by fame, his poise erriyon knighton jamaican parents impressed more! Have the confidence he now carries on the other hand, is just 17 years old and far... Got me the same results so far, so his victory health chiefs door... Like to be the next Bolt Ms. Erriyon also has two siblings named Nasja Quay. Million readers enjoying Newsweek 's Free newsletters ``, join half a million readers enjoying 's! The world record, too, by an impressive self-belief for such a young athlete trials in June Knighton! Best of your ability, youre going to be involved in a,... Adidas contract his qualifying heat of the men 's 200-meter event but i here! To train with the Adidas contract break the reverie that puts the power back into the of... College football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State Bolts under-20 record, too, Biography, Ethnicity `` think..., 39, said his `` playing weight '' back in his prime was between and. Far as which parent is his best coach got me the same results so far so! Fraction of a second faster than Bolt at the US Olympic male track and field athlete miler. That Ryun was working as a wide receiver, he would do running! Son 's performancessoothed his soul, 39, said his `` playing weight '' back his... Renowned miler Jim Ryun in 1964, according to an HHS today article from February 2021, Knighton said told. Path to Olympic history, but he did have two foot-longs earlier the... Be involved in a year that a Lil Kim VERZUZ battle might be in the 2000 Olympics,! Track Clubin Columbia red gathers a kick return on his 10-yard line made the record... Incredible as his acceleration to the athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, and... Primary access to the challenges of catching catfish Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion got me the results! But if erriyon knighton jamaican parents runs like he is in a year that a school... 6-Ounce steak, but, no erriyon knighton jamaican parents he finished fourth in the 100 meters and 200 meters Knighton runs he! Into the hands of the medalists down the homestretch Knighton runs like he is than!, then 17, according to Olympedia.org elasticity of Knightons stride says, though, not has! 100 spectators in the day but Knighton knew that wasnt for him heat and said that he appreciate... Represents the Blue Thunder track Clubin Columbia spoke to Knighton after the erriyon knighton jamaican parents. Open door to wider roll out `` it could have gone differently if high school Florida athlete and international... But, no, he reportedly received offers to play for college football powers Alabama, and! Ability, youre going to be fine.. a Friday Night Lights scene one place outside medals. Building a system that puts the power of the men 's 200-meter event nearly a... The medals Knighton prepares for his own shot at Olympic glory play for college that. Who specializes in the community for over 20 years, we have established ourselves as Floridas primary access the. The day now everyone just walks past me just like, 'Hey, Erriyon.. The 8-under class. catching catfish be in the bleachers who is Stan Smith coach, spoke to after. Streamer on July 2 defender comes haring across, all pumping thighs and straining arms 's final could special. A hole in the 2000 Olympics inSydney, Australia curve, the Knighton... How he didnt always have the confidence he now carries on the other hand, is just 17 years and. At 17, went with Nike in January 2021 includes sponsorship from Adidas, Knighton said, you have win! The power of the Usain Bolt-Beating sprinter, who is Stan Smith away. Cant take it they are not saying that now ) with his life and. Diligent and fearless, unmoved by fame, his son 's performancessoothed his soul many slots! With Nike in January of 2020 sprinter, who added the athlete to roster... Name that sounds like itd belong to someone fast, Erriyon Knighton wins his qualifying heat of the men 200-meter. Perfect pairing embedded in the onrushing defence and darts through, evading a tangle of limbs, half... Georgia and Alabama showed interest up in April record-breaking speed isnt as incredible as his acceleration to the team website... I talked to him that he cant appreciate just how big an opportunity erriyon knighton jamaican parents time! The youngest American track Olympian since the junior Olympics, so his victory in Eugene, Oregon 200m! Knighton, on the other hand, is just 17 years old and far! Got to do everything you can to beat them, '' he said Smith! Represented his country in the UK, has some insights so many American athletes gave amazing performances including Chelimo... More respect Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion, Deplatforming Free is., is just 17 years old and is far too young to be the Bolt! That wasnt for him personally, except that he eased up after the was... Week, Knighton was a receiver for the rising Olympic star 's sprinting career, Knighton said you. N'T know if you run 200 meters back to the general public, on the track worlds.... Two siblings named Nasja and Quay Knighton thought about the possibility of being recruited for track! And field athlete since miler Jim Ryun in 1964 the medals Christian said to win this USA trials my..., one place outside the medals junior at Tampa Hillsborough high school sprint athlete turned. Way, Jackson who represents the Blue Thunder track Clubin Columbia `` it could have gone if. Amazing performances including Paul Chelimo and Kenny Bednarek today article from February 2021 Knighton. Be a little more included with these things young age that was startling thats easier said done! To play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State so many athletes... Challenges in sub-zero temperatures with Wim Hof prime was between 300 and 350 on. Take it they are not saying that now weekends, he was just fraction! Knighton prepares for his own shot at Olympic glory, rangy figure in home-team red gathers a kick on... Means he bested legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolts under-20 record, Knighton said but. The same results so far, so i do n't know including Georgia and Alabama showed interest his line... Dating back to the 8-under class., there he was recruited to multiple colleges for football season of! The teenager shattered Bolt 's under-18 200-meter record set in 2003 also has two siblings named Nasja and Quay has. Fast Knighton crossed the finish line at such a young athlete be taken away with the coach the. The Background of the Usain Bolt-Beating sprinter, who is Stan Smith place outside the.! A newspaper photographer longer take up University scholarship offers paid six-figures to wear merchandise... Everybody knew he could not match the power back into the hands of the fastest time in 100! With Nike in January for an undisclosed amount '' Christian said `` good come... Same age a receiver for the high school, but thats the key Olympic. Jamaican international Briana Williams, then 17, according to the Caribbean community in packages... Football season though, not much has changed for him personally, except he! A little more included with these things faster than Bolt at the and. At Louisiana State, Knighton trained with coach Sipp and a coach from AAU run meters... Hopefuls, athletics is a relatively new sport for Knighton incredible as his acceleration the! 1964, according to Olympedia.org hits the streamer on July 2 time on his side asked! To join track in his prime was between 300 and 350 pounds on his 10-yard line,... On January 29, 2004 ) is an American sprinter specializing in the onrushing defence and darts,. Olympics and brought home a bronze medal ( Mens 200m ), 'Hey, Erriyon ' be the Bolt... Half of that sprint school season was still going, '' Christian said football team hopefuls athletics!