Why American Legend is Excited For Christian Miller After Obliterating Cristian Coleman in Japan

18-year-old Christian Miller's performance in Japan, where he beat 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman, has earned praise from the 2004 Olympic champion

Rising U.S. sprint star Christian Miller is declaring his presence with style.

Miller first burst on to the scene in 2024 at Pure Athletics Spring Invitational in Clermont, Florida appreciated what they were treated to when, at just 17,  he ran a 9.93 (+1.6). 

This earned him a professional deal with Puma rather than choosing the collegiate system. 

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A year later, the young sprinter’s bold attitude and mature approach to global competition drew high praise from sprint legend Justin Gatlin , especially after his 10.08-second victory in Japan, where he outpaced none other than Christian Coleman.

Speaking on his Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin did not  hold back his admiration for the young American, lauding his growth and adaptability as he begins to navigate the complexities of international competition.

A Coming of Age for Christian Miller

“I am proud of C Millie because he’s going across the ocean and running internationally now,” he said.

“Usually when you have young athletes like that, they’re very narrow-minded when it comes to one, preparation, and then two, culture, and then three, when it comes to like jet lag and how you handle yourself in those situations. So clearly, he’s up to par. He’s handling stuff like a true professional.”

Miller’s performance in Japan was not just a fast time—it was proof of his maturity and readiness to compete at the highest level.

“To be able to come away with a 10.08 there in Japan, like, I take my hat off to him because he’s done a very good job.”

While Miller impressed, it was Japan’s Shuhei Yagita who truly owned the moment. His commanding performance on home soil made a powerful statement, prompting the podcast host to draw a comparison to a veteran of the sport.

“Nagita [Yagita], like he said, ‘Hey, this is my territory. I’m Japanese. I’m coming to run. If you’re going to run a 100-anything, listen—you about to be lunch, ’cause that’s my territory.’”

“I call that the Mike Rogers effect, ’cause Mike Rogers knows what he can run. And if you’re going to run anywhere close to what he can run, you’re going to have some problems.”

“Clearly, Yagita said, ‘[Expletive], Japan is mine. I’m coming to run fast, I’m coming to run hard, I’m coming to handle business.’ And he put away Christian Miller, put away Christian Coleman, and the rest of the field as well.”

Despite finishing behind Yagita, Miller’s performance confirmed he’s ready for the next level. Gatlin believes the 19-year-old is embracing life as a professional, both physically and mentally.

“For C Millie, he’s proven himself that he can be in this professional realm. He’s exercising his athleticism, he’s working on his race strategy.”

A Glimpse of What’s to Come

Miller’s progression from Tom Jones Invitational in Gainesville to this meet in Japan demonstrates a clear trend: he’s learning, evolving, and gearing up for what really matters—the U.S. Nationals.

“I like to see exactly how he’s going to unfold his in-shapeness, his race strategy when it’s time to get ready for those rounds at Nationals.”

Miller will be hoping his trajectory can continue as he targets to make the USA team for the Tokyo World Championships this September.