A Japanese schoolboy did the unthinkable by setting a new world record for the fastest 100m time ever by an under-18 athlete.
Sorato Shimizu, 16, ran 100 metres in just 10.00 seconds during a track meet in Hiroshima.
The previous record was set by American Christian Miller, then 17, in 2023, when he covered in 10.07 seconds.
With that run, Shimizu also has the qualifying standard for the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
10.00s at the age of 16!!!!!🤯🤯🔥🔥
Sorato Shimizu 🇯🇵 storms runs a massive Age-16 World Record of 10.00s (1.7) over 100m at the Inter High School Championships in Japan!
He broke the previous age-group record of 10.09s by 🇹🇭 Puripol Boonson.pic.twitter.com/NOdWPbQOqQ
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) July 26, 2025
Usain Bolt, 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 it can be misleading because he started his career as a 200m runner.
Shimuzu’s time was achieved at the Inter High School Championships. It places him fifth all-time among Japanese athletes.
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.”