Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Guyana’s rising track star Malachi Austin delivered a sensational performance at Louisiana State University’s outdoor season opener on March 21, 2026, rewriting the South American Under-20 record books in the men’s 400 metres.
The 19-year-old freshman, competing for LSU, stormed to victory in a time of 45.37 seconds, finishing well ahead of the field and immediately establishing himself as one of the top collegiate quarter-milers this season. His dominant run secured first place and marked a major milestone early in his NCAA career.
Austin’s performance not only earned him the win but also shattered the longstanding South American U20 record of 45.38 seconds, which had stood since 2005. In doing so, he became the fastest under-20 athlete in South American history over the distance.
The time represents a massive improvement on his previous personal best and signals a new level of performance for the Guyanese athlete, who continues to progress rapidly since transitioning to collegiate competition in the United States.
Already regarded as one of Guyana’s most promising sprinters, Austin entered LSU with an impressive résumé. He previously held the national U18 and U20 400m record and captured gold at the 2024 CARIFTA Games, along with a South American U20 title the same year. His achievements also include medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Junior Pan American Games.
At the LSU Opener, Austin’s victory contributed to a strong showing by the Tigers, with multiple standout performances across sprint and relay events. His run was highlighted as one of the top performances of the meet and a significant early-season benchmark.
Looking ahead, Austin is expected to represent Guyana at the upcoming CARIFTA Games in Grenada over the Easter weekend. With his current form, he enters the competition as a strong contender and one of the region’s most exciting young athletes.
If officially ratified, Austin’s 45.37 will stand as the new South American U20 record and places him firmly among the elite emerging talents in global sprinting. For both LSU and Guyana, his breakthrough performance marks the beginning of what could be a remarkable season.
