Issam Asinga signed two stratospheric times in the 100m at the Clermont meeting. The sprinter even beat Noah Lyles. At this rate, the Zambian could take the U20 world record in the 100m, held by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo (9s91).
Issam Asinga, the future star of world sprinting? The 18-year-old athlete is certainly on the right track. The Florida high school student blew up the times on Sunday at the Clermont meeting. In the series, he slammed times of 9s83 and 9s86 in the 100m final. The Zambian even offered himself in the wake of the 200m world champion, Noah Lyles, who recorded a time of 9s92. A good omen for African athletics. Unfortunately, these fast times were not certified due to a strong wind (+2.6). But Lyles was amazed by the young sprinter’s performance. “A big tip of the hat to Issam Asinga and the French team’s Coaching. I can definitely see us running on the big stages if you keep improving and you can definitely get that HS record man!” tweeted Lyles.
18 years old Issam Asinga's runs blazing 9.83s(+2.6) in the men's 100m🇺🇲 https://t.co/SzMyZpskR1
— Track Extreme | Track and Field (@TrackExtremeTV) April 24, 2023
Tebogo’s U20 world record under threat?
At this rate, Issam Asinga could dethrone Letsile Tebogo. The latter holds the U20 world record in the 100m. He had slammed 9.91s at the U20 Worlds. Maus Asinga could be the next record holder. For the moment, his official personal record for the distance is 10s10. With his achievement in Florida, the sprinter’s performance will be followed very closely.
Issam Asinga is not a novice in this discipline. Since his parents were high level athletes. His father, Tommy Asinga, an 800m specialist, represented Suriname at the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympics. His mother is former Zambian sprinter Ngozi Mwanamwambwa, who competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Asinga grew up in Zambia before returning to the United States. In the future, he may choose to run for the United States, Suriname or Zambia. However, he may follow in his mother’s footsteps. Mwanamwambwa has lived most of her life in the United States. A resident of Principia College, she was a seven-time NCAA DIII All-American, placing in the top eight in the country in the 100, 200 and 400m in 1991, 1992 and 1993. On the international scene, Ngozi has always defended the colors of her home country, Zambia.
