A new generation of teenage sprinters around the world is redefining the limits of the 100-meter dash. In the U.K., then 14-year-old Bronson Hearn-Smith went viral for a video showing him cruising effortlessly to the finish line, clocking 10.61 seconds without seeming to exert much effort.
In Japan, 16-year-old Sorato Shimizu set a new Under-18 world record with a time of 10.00 seconds. In the U.S., 17-year-old Tate Taylor recorded 9.92 seconds to set a national high school record (though it has not been officially recognized by World Athletics as an Under-18 record) and advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Championships, a senior-level event.
Sixteen-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout astonished the track world by running the 200 meters in 20.04 seconds, faster than Usain Bolt at the same age. His 100-meter best stands at 10.17 seconds(official) and 9.99 for unofficial record.
Bronson Hearn-Smith, age fourteen at the time, tall at nearly 6’3″ and instantly recognizable with his glasses, ran the 100 meters in 10.61 seconds that day.
Experts attribute this explosive rise in teenage sprinting performance to a combination of factors:
Technological innovation: The advent of “super spike” shoes that increase traction and energy return, helping to lower times.
Professionalization: Teenage athletes now train under professional coaches and, at times, alongside world-class sprinters.
Incentives: Sponsorships and endorsement deals provide financial motivation, allowing young athletes to sustain high-level training.
Global expansion: New sprinting powerhouses like Australia, Japan, and China are emerging through advanced coaching systems and international training exchanges.
Shimizu, influenced by his family of former track athletes, corrects his weaknesses through meticulous self-training. Taylor chose to focus on track over American football, while the 6-foot-3 Hearn-Smith runs with an efficient stride comparable to Usain Bolt’s. His near-perfect form reflects a fusion of natural talent, expert coaching, and modern technology.
The 100-meter dash, the crown jewel of track and field, is now being rewritten by athletes who have yet to graduate from high school.
Sorato Shimizu, the world-record holder in the under-18 category
Australian sprinter Gout Gout