May 22, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- New world record holder Evan Pinion is back in Knoxville after winning two golds and a bronze at the Junior World Swimming Championships.
He tells us his next big challenge is in two years at the Olympic Trials.
As for how he's going to celebrate his first night back in the states as a world record holder, he told us, "I'm going to Waffle House!"
Pinion smashed the junior world record for the 1500-meter freestyle swim by 14 seconds. He took home the gold at the Junior World Championships in Peru.
He was just 14 when he broke 2 of Michael Phelps' records.
His Dad, Jeff Pinion, couldn't be more proud. "I believe amazing is the best word for it. It's a dream too. That he's only 16 and has been all these places, and wow," he told us.
USAswimming.org called his son a name to remember, a reason to stay excited about American swimming.
That global attention started here in Knoxville, with the Pilot Aquatic Club. Pinion practiced for hours a day with the same teammates since he was 10-years-old.
