Last Updated on April 10, 2013 by Jimson Lee
As I am quickly approaching 50 years old, I find it more difficult to run under 12.00 seconds for the 100 meters.
That’s life, and I accept it.
I wrote about 16 year old Yoshihide Kiryu who recently ran 10.21 & 10.19 for 100 meters. Now that is amazing.
But how about 12 year old Australian James Gallaugher who has run 11.72?
Sure, 11.72 is nothing to brag about, but he is 12 years old!
If I raced against him today, he would surely kick my butt.
(And yes, I will stop calling you Shirley)
Take a look at this video on YouTube where James Gallaugher is the anchor in Lane 3, and gets the baton 20 meters behind the leader.
Watch him take out the fishing rod, and reels in Lane 4.
Will James Gallaugher be the next Usain Bolt Yoshihide Kiryu?
I think it looks better as the other kids are slow, below average.
I have a kid who ran 11.8 shortly after turning 13 after only 6 months ish of training.
It’s all relative I guess
no its not relative , the kid is 12 , u just said it yourself your kid was 13 , big difference in a yr even 6 months at such a young age. or maybe u have other reasons for “dissin” a 12yr old who can hit 11.27 for 100m ?
This reminds me of the book “The Outliers”… a 12 year old born in January is better than one born in December.
good one jimson , ::)), and hey there just may be something in it !!!,,
Although very impressive, let’s not get too excited and put too much pressure on the kid. Also, let’s keep things in perspective. Remember that at his age, there are large differences in physical development between kids. Some kids are already shaving at 11 years old and by 13 have hair on their chest. I used to run against one guy in juniors who ran 11.9 for 100m. By the time he was 17, the best he could run was 11.1. He never ran faster than that.
Hey folks. I happen to be the coach of young James, and I am a 100m sprinter myself, and allow me to proclaim the kid has some incredible NATURAL talent. The 11.72 that he ran was at the National Australian schools championships and he actually forgot to push his blocks into the track hard enough for the spikes to grab – so they slipped, he stumbled, and had to win the race from behind. His time of 11.72 would surely have been quicker, likely 11.60’s or 11.50’s. He’s definitely developed well for his age, however he’s still super raw. We have only just touched the surface with regards his starts, technique etc. Honestly I have been holding off on forcing too much on him at such a young age, and I also don’t want to ruin his natural ability or make him over think his beautiful style. He does things right that I’m still perfecting at 31! Personally, I hope he just sticks with it and continues to work on his skills but not so much that he loses interest or wears himself out. Nurturing young talent is very important, especially here in Australia where sprinters really get next to no support.
@Scott, thanks for commenting. I think it’s great to have kids with talent AND interest in the sport. I always believed you have to be an athlete first before you can be a sprinter. He has plenty of time to develop (i.e. speed, strength, etc) and choose the sport later. Look at USA sprinter-turned-rugby player Carlin Isles?
Hey Scott what is the name of the kid from SA that he tied with at the National Championships? He also looked very impressive.