US high school student Cooper Lutkenhaus wins 800m to become youngest ever indoor world champion | Athletics
US teenager Cooper Lutkenhaus made history on Sunday by winning gold in the 800 meters to become the youngest champion ever at the world indoor track and field championships.
The 17-year-old took time off from classes at Northwest High School in Texas to compete in the championships. won gold He was 0.14 seconds ahead of Belgian Eliott Crestan with a time of 1 minute 44.24 seconds. The bronze medal was won by Spanish Mohamed Attaoui.
When Lutkenhaus, who turned 17 in December, won the gold medal in the 800 meters in 2012, he broke the record for the youngest champion, held by Ethiopian Mohammed Aman, who was 18 years and 61 days old.
Lutkenhaus said after his victory: “I went into this knowing I was probably not the favourite, but every time I step into the final I believe I have a chance to win.”
Lutkenhaus also competed in the world outdoor championships held last September, when he was only 16, and was eliminated in the first round. After his race at these championships, he admitted that he still had homework to do before returning to Texas.
The teenager’s gold medal was the United States’ sixth at the championships and moved them to the top of the medal standings, ahead of Great Britain, which won five medals.
