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Cooper Lutkenhaus Breaks U18 800m World Record, Secures Tokyo World Championships Spot

At 16, he becomes the youngest American ever selected for a senior world championships team

Aug 3, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Cooper Lutkenhaus places second in the 800m in a World U20 record 1:42.27 during the USATF Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Lutkenhaus ran 1:42.27 in the 800m final at the U.S. Outdoor Championships on August 3, setting a new Under-18 world record
  • His second-place finish behind Donavan Brazier earned him a berth on Team USA for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from Sept. 13–21
  • The 1:42.27 mark ranks fourth on the U.S. all-time 800m list and fifth fastest in the world
  • He powered from seventh to second with a signature late-race kick over the final 200 meters
  • His selection makes him the youngest American ever named to a senior world championships team