Riggins to represent Topeka Blazers in 2024 Junior Olympics

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Every Olympic athlete's dream is to achieve a gold medal at the worlds biggest event in sports, and Topeka native, Brian Riggins, is starting his journey for that very dream right here in the Capital City.

Brian Riggins is 10 years old and has been excelling in the track and field game. For the past three years, he's earned a spot representing the Topeka Blazers Track Club in the Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina.

This year, he's entering the meet as the top javelin thrower in the country for his age class.

"He's never been ranked number one," Brian's' mom, Andreia Johnson said. "There are some really stiff competition between numbers one, two, and three. So we're eager to go to see where all three of them fall." 

Brian is determined to secure his number one ranking. He told 27 News, he's already got his winning routine down from when he first enters the car, to when his javelin leaves his hand.

"On the way there I listen to music, and then when I get there I warm up for about 15-20 minutes," Brian said. "Then I do my practice throws and then I wait and see how I do." 

Brian said every time he makes it to the Junior Olympics, he's one step closer to achieving his overall goal of becoming a javelin Olympian.

Usain Bolt is Brian's track and field inspiration, and if he ever got the chance to meet him, he told 27 News, there's one main question he hopes to ask him.

"I would ask, how do you do it?"

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