It appears life in the fast lane is all but over for New Zealand's fastest man.
National 100 metres record holder Eddie Osei-Nketia's opened up on his shock decision to take up an American Football scholarship with the University of Hawaii, and bring an end to his days on the track.
The 21-year-old says he has no hard feelings towards Athletics New Zealand - or the NZOC - over his non-selection for the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and is now fully focused on achieving his NFL dream.
Osei-Nketia is the fastest man in New Zealand history. But at just 21 years of age, he's pulling the plug on track and field.
"I feel like I've achieved as much as I can in this time," he told Newshub. "I feel like it's time for a new chapter."
And it's one he said isn't fuelled by the frustration of missing out on the Olympics and Commonwealth Games after failing to reach strict selection criteria
"Athletics New Zealand and I were always good. I will always have the best relationship with all the staff there."
His new chapter starts next June when he begins an American football scholarship at the University of Hawaii.
It's a sport Osei-Nketia has never played. But that doesn't worry the coaching staff in Hawaii.
Osei-Nketia's speed alone gives him the potential to become a lethal wide receiver, even if he's unlikely to be an overnight success
"They were actually real with me," he said. "They were saying, 'It will take one or two years to learn the game.'"
Before heading to Hawaii, Osei-Nketia will continue his track and field season in Australia, with some wide receiver route running practice on the side.
"It's one of the main things I'm working on, trying to become more consistent with my catching," he added.
And if the South Pacific's fastest man can add that to his game you wouldn't bet against him going as far as the NFL.
