sports
Meet Cooper Lutkenhaus, 17, the phenom who became 800m world champion while at school
Track and field’s youngest world champion on ‘wanting to change the sport’ and his admiration for Napoleon
TL;DR
- Cooper Lutkenhaus, 17, is track and field's youngest world champion after winning the 800m indoor title.
- He recently won his first Diamond League race, receiving high praise from established athletes.
- Lutkenhaus aims to win titles, set records, and inspire audiences, drawing parallels to aggressive historical figures like Napoleon.
- His success is attributed to genetics, a hardworking upbringing, and a diverse early sports experience.
- He trains diligently, waking at 6 am for workouts before school, and studies the races of past champions like David Rudisha.
- Lutkenhaus plans to attend college, majoring in kinesiology and minoring in sports marketing.