
Sprint sensation, 16, beats Usain Bolt's 100m record at same age to qualify for world championships
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JAPANESE 16-year-old Sorato Shimizu has set a new world record for the fastest 100m time EVER achieved by an athlete under-18.
The sprinting prodigy, who is still a schoolboy, ran 100 metres in just 10.00 seconds during a track meet in Hiroshima.
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Sorato Shimizu celebrates his incredible time
Credit: https://x.com/TrackGazette
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Shimizu shows off his brilliant achievement
Shimizu has beaten the previous record jointly held by American Christian Miller, and Thai ace Puripol Boonson, who both ran 100m in 10.06 seconds.
And his incredible time smashes Usain Bolt's best time as a 20-year-old.
The Jamaican icon, who still holds the overall world 100m record, had achieved a personal best of 10.03 seconds as a 20-year-old.
Although at this point in his incredible career, Bolt was focused more on the 200m discipline.
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Shimuzu's time was achieved at the Inter High School Championships.
It places him fifth all-time among Japanese athletes.
While he also now holds his country's high school record.
The previous record of 10.01 seconds had stood for 12 years, having been set by Yoshihide Kiryu.
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Following his achievement, Shimuzu said: "I was determined to run under 10 seconds heading into the final.
"I'm happy to have set a high school record. I'd like to get a taste of it if I can make it."
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The Athletics World Championships are set to be held in Tokyo this September.
Shimizu's time has cleared the entry standard for the prestigious event.
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