Sheffield sensation has emerged as one of the breakthrough athletes of 2024 under the coaching of Carl Lewis

Louie Hinchliffe has become the first European to win the NCAA (US collegiate) mens 100m title after a 9.95 (0.2) victory in Eugene on Friday (June 7).

The 21-year-old from Sheffield, England, who studies at the University of Houston in a coaching squad led by Olympic legend Carl Lewis, went equal No.6 on the UK all-time rankings.

It was just a fight to the end, said Hinchliffe, who is becoming known for his trademark fast finishes despite his modest height. The moment the gun went off, it was full throttle. I just gave everything today.

The performance also builds on his wind-assisted 9.84 in Arkansas in late May. Call him King Louie, the Houston Chronicle reported this weekend.

Only five years ago Hinchliffe finished in last place in the English Schools 100m final, but he has now put himself in the frame for Olympic selection. Indeed, Lewis says his first words to Hinchliffe when he met him were: Were going to get you into your Olympic team.

9.95

Louie Hinchliffe makes history at the NCAA Championships by becoming the first ever European to win the mens 100m

The 21-year-old clocks 9.95 (0.2) and goes sixth on the UK all-time list pic.twitter.com/VJTEhyrgc7

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) June 8, 2024

A member of Sheffield & Dearne AC in the UK, where he was coached by Rudolph Paul Hohn, he was a talented golfer before focusing on athletics.

In Eugene he became the seventh Houston athlete to win the NCAA 100m after Lewis (1981), Stanley Floyd (1982), Joe Deloach (1988), Leroy Burrell (1990), Samuel Jefferson (1994) and Cameron Burrell (2018).

In addition to the individual sprint he won 4x100m bronze in Eugene alongside Shaun Maswanganyi, Ireon Brown and Cayden Broadnax.