16-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus shocked everyone, including himself, when he booked a spot in the American World Championship team on 800 meters after setting a new world record for the year for runners under 18 years old at competitions in Eugene, Oregon.
I would not take a spot in the team, many did not even think I would make it to the final, he says after the race where he only got beaten by Donavan Brazier, World Championship gold medalist 2019.
Lutkenhaus' time, 1.42,27 was also a personal best by three seconds and the sixth fastest time on the distance in the world this year.
The World Championship in athletics will be held in Tokyo in September.
