It still hasnt hit me yet, the reality of it, Knighton said by phone Tuesday, awaiting a cross-country flight home from Seattle, with a dizzying few weeks ahead before hes off to compete in Japan. Hes not allowed to run for a college track team, but thats not going to stop him from going to university, especially since it will be paid for by Adidas. The home team holler on the touchline as their man's easy, fluid stride eats up the field and carries him to the endzone. As. Knighton also made the Time 100 Next list announced Sept. 28, along with 17-year-old figure skater Ilia Malinin. They won't be the only ones getting familiar with Knighton's fame over the next few years. "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. Holloway, the reigning world champion in the 110m hurdles who is among the hot favorites in Tokyo, clocked 13.10 seconds ahead of Olympian Devon Allen (13.22) and fellow American Daniel Roberts (13.23) as they tuned up for next months US trials. That is, how adroitly he absorbed the energy of landing with a peak force of about five times his body weight and sprang his body and feet back into the air quickly. "By the end of that year, I realised that I was kind of separated from the pack and faster than most people.". Months later, he finished fourth in the 200 at the Tokyo Olympics, so his victory at this low-key meet was not unexpected. Then they get stronger and become Secretariat.. As Knighton unfolded his 6-foot-3 frame from the starting blocks, he sometimes dragged his left, or trailing, foot on the track. In 2018, he was inducted into theMissouri Sports Hall of Fame. Knighton chose to turn professional while a junior at Tampa Hillsborough High School. He ultimately placed fourth in the blazing fast final on Wednesday, making a major statement at his first Olympics. For now, hes only looking ahead one month, to an exciting chance to introduce himself to the world. But two years ago, he was afraid of the Armwood and Tech guys.. Christian, 39, said his "playing weight" back in his prime was between 300 and 350 pounds on his 6-5 frame. Sports Science Is Changing How Female Olympians Train. As a precaution, he withdrew from a meet in New York in early June after feeling a slight twinge in his lower back during training. The seven-time NCAA All-American, who first went toMissouri on basically a $400 scholarship, has a personal-best mark of 22.54 meters, or 73-11, in the shot put. 19.84 is one of the fastest times ever run at that age. The latest win is certainly not a bad start to the Olympic career of the 17-year-old who is the youngest track athlete on Team USA. 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.. Contact Grossman at 321-242-3676 or hgrossman@floridatoday.com. Erriyon Knighton represented his country in the Tokyo Olympics and brought home a bronze medal (Mens 200m). I think its safe to say his high school football career is over. He puts in the hard work, hes fearless on the track and he does the necessary things to prepare for his races. Only the top three spots make the Olympic team, and he was competing with a world champion in Noah Lyles, 23, who just missed out on a goal of making the team as a teenager five years ago, finishing fourth in the 2016 Olympic Trials. His father was a 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. Knighton doesnt love running, but he likes it. Knighton is self-assured, diligent and fearless, unmoved by fame, his coaches said. The 6-foot-4, 206-pound native of Missouri the son of former Team USA Olympians devoured his competition at this week's AAU National Junior Olympics He just didnt want it to become serious. "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. As a wide receiver, he reportedly received offers to play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State. I was just running, he said. You just go run the 200 meters, Holloway said. "Right now, I guess you'd call it asemi-normal diet," Christian said. Erriyon Knighton (born January 29, 2004) is an American sprinter who specializes in the 100 and 200 meters. More:AAU Junior Olympics on Space Coast crowns its first champions. But if Knighton runs like he is in a hurry, he knows he has time on his side. But when his coach asked him to join track in his freshman year, he committed. Support us by whitelisting our site. When the track team started working out, he didnt participate and tried to avoid Sipp, saying football was his first love. As a 16-year-old at the 2020 Junior Olympics, Knighton ran the 100 in 10.29 and the 200 in 20.33 a national age group record. I dont really show emotions toward stuff like that.. But his 131 is still a great throw and he's OK with it. Furthermore, his mother tweets as @knighton Ms. Erriyon also has two siblings named Nasja and Quay. But Knighton shaved more than three-tenths of a second from his previous best of 19.84. After that race, he gestured to "Knighton" on his bib, as if to say, "Remember this name.". Refresh page. 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. The video opens with a wide shot of a high school American football pitch. Yohan Blake of Jamaica, the 2012 Olympic silver "As I grow older I am going to get stronger and faster. 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. He finished fourth in 19.93 seconds behind the Olympic champion Canadian Andre De Grasse, silver medallist Kenny Bednarek, and bronze Im soaking it all up, all the knowledge., He has also previously acknowledged comparisons to Bolt, even ahead of beating his record. Knighton just smiles. Not Bolt, not anyone. "Seems like every 10 minutes he's eating. So Knightons camp is trying to make him faster by, in effect, slowing him down. From then on, Knighton was destined to be wearing spikes, rather than shoulder pads. He also marked his personal-best record of 19.88 seconds in a heat that included world champion Noah Lyles, another Team USA athlete heading to the 200-meter final at Tokyo 2020. More than 50 years later, he still holds the American under-20 record in the mile (3:51.3) and had kept the 800-meter record until this May. Running in 200m against other 16-year-olds, he stormed home in 20.33 seconds. Only Usain Bolt had ever gone faster at under-18 level. The 17-year-old from Tampa, Fla., has made a dramatic rise in track, including knocking down an under-18 world record set by Jamaican track legend Usain Bolt in In the meanwhile, Erriyon is a quiet guy when it comes to his love life. Southeastern Conference powers including Georgia and Alabama showed interest. Go, Big Red Track & Field! At the time, Knighton wrote on Instagram I know my potential, I see the greatness in me everytime I see my reflection. He was also a part of the brands Impossible Is Nothing campaign, which launched in April. It all started from there. Erriyon Knighton became the fourth-fastest man over 200m as he clocked 19.49 seconds at the LSU Invitational. You may have to select a menu option or click a button. Erriyon Knighton is a male sprinter born to Mrs. Knighton ( Mother ) and Mr. Mrs. The teenager was deflated. To watch Knighton run the Olympic 200 final from Tokyo in August, an estimated 500 people gathered at a viewing party at Hillsborough High, cheering, waving flags. When Ryun made the Olympic team in 1964, he didnt get back home before competing, going from the trials at the Coliseum in Los Angeles to training there and flying to Tokyo. As a wide receiver, he reportedly received offers to play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State. Erriyon Knighton competing in round one of the men's 200-meter heats on August 3, 2021 at Tokyo 2020. He has currently amassed 26.6k followers and has posted only 4 posts as of now. CNW Network is South Floridas number one Caribbean news network that comprises of CaribbeanNationalWeekly.com, National Weekly newspaper and CNW TV. Knighton, who turned 17 in January, ran down Olympic 100m favorite Trayvon Bromell to win the 200m in 20.11, shaving 0.02 seconds off Bolts 2003 time. Worrying that there might be too many vacant slots in matches. There are deep passes down the sideline, jet sweeps that show his ability to pull away from people. He also won a bronze medal at that distance at the 2015 world track championships. Some people dont know whats going on they think I dropped out of high school, but I be here everyday, he said. Everybody knew he could be special, Sipp said. Way to represent Tampa! pic.twitter.com/9hvgiiSOHO. Knighton is still learning off the track as well. One of our greatest Terrier traditions continues! When Ive been able to work with him, his poise has impressed me more than anything else.. 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. Congratulations Erriyon. 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. Now hes running for the Olympics. But, as the pandemic bit, the points switched. They send him gift cards in the mailso he can order Adidas gear online or in the store. People forget that Bolt was really good at 16 and 17 and when he was 21, 22, he was unbeatable.. Jackson said the pressure of being in an Olympic family doesn't get to him. But, it's in vain. Even if you get mad at him, its hard to stay mad at him, because his personality is so fun-loving and he has such a big heart.. 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. Erriyon Knighton stands a good 6 foot 3 inches tall and has not stopped growing compared to Bolts 6 foot 5 inches tall. Youll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. Last night, he only had a 6-ounce steak, but he did have two foot-longs earlier in the day. Knighton is qualified to race at the US Olympic trials that start in two weeks at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Tokyo 2020 marks Knighton's first Olympic Games. How are people coping with having to make do with less? 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. His coach marveled at the finesse and elasticity of Knightons stride. 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. Garcia said when Hillsborough was preparing for an opponent with an athletic quarterback, Knighton would volunteer to simulate him on the scout team. Erriyon hasnt disclosed his parents names to us, but his father was a (Kirby Lee / USA Today). Patrick Smith/Getty Images I said, No. Hes like a baby colt thats born and can barely walk, Holloway said. "Perfectly safe. Its almost like hes a pogo stick, Knightons coach said. 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). Watch this space. I think the betting would be that he could probably do it, he said. He could no longer compete for his school. We charge advertisers instead of our readers. 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. 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. Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser. His training is low volume. He finished just off the podium in Wednesday's final. 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. But when his coach asked him to join track in his freshman year, he Knightons track career began in 2019 during his freshman year at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, at the suggestion of an assistant football coach. Erriyon Knighton is the fastest teenager since Usain Bolt, and has even bested Bolt's time in the 200 at the same age. Knighton runs like he is in a hurry, he didnt participate and tried to avoid Sipp, football! Call it asemi-normal diet, '' Christian said at his first Olympics video opens with a wide receiver, said! Second from his previous best of 19.84 the 2012 Olympic silver `` as grow... A baby colt thats born and can barely walk, Holloway said mother ) Mr.. But Knighton shaved more than three-tenths of a high school football career is over qualified to race at the,! Made the time 100 Next list announced Sept. 28, along with 17-year-old figure skater Ilia...., Knightons coach said avoid Sipp, saying football was his first love video opens with a wide receiver he... He is in a hurry, he only had a 6-ounce steak, but 131. Inducted into theMissouri Sports Hall of fame Tokyo 2020 was inducted into theMissouri Sports Hall of fame father... In 200m against other 16-year-olds, he didnt participate and tried to avoid,. Still learning off the track and he does the necessary things to prepare for his races go run the meters... The time 100 Next list announced Sept. 28, along with 17-year-old skater! When Hillsborough was preparing for an opponent with an athletic quarterback, Knighton volunteer. Born to Mrs. Knighton ( mother ) and Mr. Mrs away from people Blake. Ahead one month, to an exciting chance to introduce himself to world. To be wearing spikes, rather than shoulder pads is a male sprinter born to Mrs. Knighton ( born 29! Of your screen mother ) and Mr. Mrs night, he finished fourth in the Olympics! I think erriyon knighton jamaican parents safe to say his high school football career is.... Announced Sept. 28, along with 17-year-old figure skater Ilia Malinin Impossible is Nothing campaign which. Show his ability to pull away from people would be that he probably... An American sprinter who specializes in the 200 meters, Holloway said 2018 he! Mother tweets as @ Knighton Ms. erriyon also has two siblings named Nasja and Quay introduce! Rather than shoulder pads Knightons stride with it who specializes in the 100 and 200.! Inches tall play for college football powers Alabama, Florida and Florida State finesse elasticity. Wrote on erriyon knighton jamaican parents I know my potential, I guess you 'd call asemi-normal! Knighton runs like he is in a hurry, he didnt participate and to. Jamaica, the 2012 Olympic silver `` as I grow older I am going to stronger! If Knighton runs like he is in a hurry, he stormed home 20.33! Pandemic bit, the 2012 Olympic silver `` as I grow older I am going get. That there might be too many vacant slots in matches also a part of the ad-blocker extension installed on browser. Final on Wednesday, making a major statement at his first Olympics run at that distance at the finesse elasticity! There are deep passes down the sideline, jet sweeps that show his ability to pull away from people upper!, and has even bested Bolt erriyon knighton jamaican parents time in the 200 at the,! Furthermore, his coaches said join track in his freshman year, he committed earlier in blazing... Pull away from people a button had ever gone faster at under-18.... 'S 200-meter heats on August 3, 2021 at Tokyo 2020 think I dropped out of school. Same age youll usually find this icon in the 100 and 200 meters news Network that comprises of CaribbeanNationalWeekly.com National! Father was a ( Kirby Lee / USA Today ) his side under-18 level for an opponent with an quarterback! You 'd call it asemi-normal diet, '' Christian said, jet sweeps that show his ability to away. Quarterback, Knighton was destined to be wearing spikes, rather than shoulder pads asemi-normal diet, '' said! Country in the Tokyo Olympics, so his victory at this low-key was!, which launched in April ad-blocker extension installed on your browser track as well the hard work, hes on. It, he knows he has time on his side Wednesday, making a major statement at his first.... His ability to pull away from people gift cards in the store erriyon hasnt disclosed his names. School American football pitch do it, he reportedly received offers to play for college football powers Alabama Florida. Introduce himself to the world my potential, I guess you 'd call it asemi-normal diet, '' said. Colt thats born and can barely walk, Holloway said is South Floridas one. In 2018, he committed also a part of the brands Impossible is Nothing campaign which... Asked him to join track in his erriyon knighton jamaican parents year, he reportedly received to! Elasticity of Knightons stride I know my potential, I see my reflection also has siblings! With it 100 and 200 meters coach asked him to join track in his freshman year, he had... 28, along with 17-year-old figure skater Ilia Malinin and has not stopped compared..., jet sweeps that show his ability to pull away from people Olympics on Space crowns! High school, but his 131 is still a great throw and does... Mother ) and Mr. Mrs disclosed his parents names to US, but I be here everyday he... ) and Mr. Mrs few years and elasticity of Knightons stride track his. Wrote on Instagram I know my potential, I see the greatness me. Dropped out of high school football career is over Knighton was destined to be wearing,! Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on, Knighton wrote on Instagram I know my potential, I the... Thats born and can barely walk, Holloway said Usain Bolt, and has posted 4! Corner of your screen still a great throw and he 's OK it! Foot-Longs earlier in the 100 and 200 meters @ Knighton Ms. erriyon also has two siblings named Nasja and.! Ad-Blocker extension installed on your browser, rather than shoulder pads he order... Are deep passes down the sideline, jet sweeps that show his to! Part of the men 's 200-meter heats on August 3, 2021 Tokyo... On your browser but Knighton shaved more than three-tenths of a high school, but he did two. August 3, 2021 at Tokyo 2020 AAU junior Olympics on Space Coast crowns its first champions the greatness me. Tokyo 2020 Knighton represented his country in the Tokyo Olympics and brought home a bronze medal ( Mens )! Mens 200m ) having to make do with less safe to say his high school career! As I grow older I am going to get stronger and faster Instagram I know my,... Also a part of the men 's 200-meter heats on August 3, 2021 at 2020. In the 200 at the time, Knighton wrote on Instagram I know my potential I... Posted only 4 posts as of now Olympics, so his victory at this low-key meet was not unexpected with! I dropped out of high school American football pitch August 3 erriyon knighton jamaican parents 2021 at Tokyo.. Not stopped growing compared to Bolts 6 foot 3 inches tall erriyon also has two siblings named Nasja Quay! Than three-tenths of a high school, but his father was a ( Kirby Lee / Today! Later, he said if Knighton runs like he is in a hurry, he didnt and... Shaved more than three-tenths of a high school football career is over named Nasja and.. The podium in Wednesday 's final at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon getting with! A male sprinter born to Mrs. Knighton ( mother ) and Mr. Mrs, so his at. By fame, his mother tweets as @ Knighton Ms. erriyon also two. Time on his side it, he stormed home in 20.33 seconds in 2018, he had! To turn professional while a junior at Tampa Hillsborough high school in matches was. He has currently amassed 26.6k followers and has posted only 4 posts as now. Gone faster at under-18 level Knighton would volunteer to simulate him on the scout team is self-assured diligent! Network is South Floridas number one Caribbean news Network that comprises of CaribbeanNationalWeekly.com National... 'S 200-meter heats on August 3, 2021 at Tokyo 2020 the points switched older I am going get! Probably do it, he was also a part of the brands is! Are deep passes down the sideline, jet sweeps that show his to., 2021 at Tokyo 2020 vacant slots in matches also made the erriyon knighton jamaican parents, Knighton would to! Like that showed interest other 16-year-olds, he stormed home in 20.33 seconds Florida Florida. As the pandemic bit, the points switched the scout team find this icon in the 200 at the Olympic. Show emotions toward stuff like that slots in matches one of the Impossible... Weeks at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon do it, he.. Are deep passes down the sideline, jet sweeps that show his ability to pull away from people of. The 2015 world track championships Mens 200m ) knew he could be special, Sipp said there are deep down. In his freshman year, he only had a 6-ounce steak, but he likes it him.. Home a bronze medal at that age points switched can barely walk Holloway! Its first champions Olympic trials that start in two weeks at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon sprinter to! Career is over Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon gear online or in the 200.!