The fastest person in the world has incredible stamina and speed. These abilities are vital in highly competitive and intense sprinting events. The athlete must cover the shortest possible distance at the most incredible pace to break the world's record. Discover the fastest person in the world and his top speed below.

world fastest man speed — The fastest men in the world. Photo: Patrick Smith, Robert Prezioso (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The fastest runners in the world usually delight fans by winning several medals in each international competition. This article lists the top 15 fastest people in history based on their top speeds in 100-metre and 200-metre sprint races.

Fastest person in the world

Historical statistics in short sprint races reveal that the world's fastest runners are mostly African-Americans and Jamaicans. Below is a list of the top 15 fastest people in 2023 and the best speeds in the 100-meter dash races.

15. Ronnie Baker - 9.83 seconds (100m dash)

fastest person in the world — Ronnie Baker competes in the Men's 100m during the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Photo: Christian Petersen
Source: Getty Images

Full name: Ronnie Baker
Born: 15 October 1993
Age: 30 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 73 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 6.40s (60m in Albuquerque, New Mexico, US in 2018), 9.83 s (100m in Tokyo, Japan 2021 ) and 20.55 s (200m in Austin, Texas, US, in 2018)

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In 2017, Ronnie Baker was the world's fastest man over 60 meters. He also achieved a personal best of 9.83 seconds in the men's 100-meter semi-finals in the Olympics.

Throughout his running career, Baker drew inspiration from and was influenced by prominent sports figures, including Michael Johnson, Tyson Gay, and Usain Bolt.

14. Richard Thompson - 9.82 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Richard "Torpedo" Thompson
Born: 7 June 1985
Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Nationality: Trinidadian
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.82 s (100m in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, in 2014) and 20.18 s (200m in Fayetteville, United States, in 2008)

Track & field athlete Richard Thompson is a sprinter specializing in 100 meters. He catapulted to popularity after coming second to Usain Bolt at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and winning a bronze medal.

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In 2014, Thompson was the eighth fastest sprinter in Port of Spain. His personal best of 9.82 seconds in June 2014 is among the top ten fastest of all time and a national record. Richard holds the record of the fourth fastest time by a Trinidad and Tobago athlete in the 200-meter races.

13. Lamont Marcell Jacobs - 9.80 seconds (100m dash)

Fastest person in the world mph — Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Team Italy attends a press conference for the 2023 Diamond League Xiamen Meeting at Egret Stadium in Xiamen, Fujian Province of China. Photo: Chinasports
Source: Getty Images

Full name: Lamont Marcell Jacobs Jr.
Born: 26 September 1994
Age: 29 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: El Paso, Texas, United States
Nationality: Italian
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 84 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100 meters relay, Long jump
Personal best: 6.41s (60m in Belgrade in 2022) and 9.80s (100m in Tokyo in 2021)

Lamont's impressive track record includes victories in numerous races, such as the 100 meters gold at the 2020 Olympics, the title of 60 meters world champion in 2022, and becoming the European 100 meters champion in the same year. Notably, Lamont Marcell Jacobs made history as the first Italian to qualify for and claim victory in the men's 100-meters Olympic final.

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12. Steve Mullings - 9.80 seconds (100m dash)

fastest man in the world km/h — Jamaica Steve Mullings during Men's 100M race at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. IAAF Diamond League. Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier
Source: Getty Images

Full name: Steve Mullings
Born: 28 November 1982
Age: 40 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.80 s (100m in Eugene, Oregon, in 2011) and 19.98 s (200m in Berlin in 2009)

Jamaican former sprint athlete Steve Mullings also makes this list of the world's fastest runners. He specializes in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. Steve raced the 100 meters in 9.8 seconds, placing him among the top fastest person in the world. In 2011, he got a lifetime ban for doping.

11. Maurice Greene - 9.79 seconds (100m dash)

Who is the world's fastest man now — Maurice Green runs during the Mens 100 Meter Dash Invitational KU Relays at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. Photo: G. N. Lowrance
Source: Getty Images

Full name: Maurice Greene
Born: 23 July 1974
Age: 49 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 82 kg
Event(s): 50 meters, 60 meters, 100meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.79 s (100m in Athens, Greece, in 1999) and 19.86 s (200m in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1997)

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The former American track & field athlete Maurice Greene has won five Olympic medals, two of which are gold. He held the record for six years until 2005. Greene was the fastest sprinter five times in his early career, collecting five Olympic gold medals and setting the world record for the 100 meters at the time with a run of 9.79 seconds.

10. Nesta Carter - 9.78 seconds (100m dash)

Who is the fastest man in 2023? — Bronze medalist Nesta Carter of Jamaica on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 100 metres during Day Three of the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013 at Luzhniki Stadium. Photo: Paul Gilham
Source: Getty Images

Full name: Nesta Carter OD
Born: 11 October 1985
Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Manchester Parish, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Event(s): 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.78 s (100m in Rieti, Italy, in 2010) and 20.25 s (200 m in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2011)

Former Jamaican sprinter Nesta Carter participated in the 100-meter dash. He has won gold medals and set sprinting records. He once ran the fastest time of 9.78 seconds in the 100 meters. In 2013, Carter finished third in Moscow's individual 100m world championships. In the United States, Nesta is one of the most well-known athletes.

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9. Ferdinand Omanyala - 9.77 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Ferdinand Omanyala Omurwa
Born: 2 January 1996
Age: 27 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Nairobi
Nationality: Kenyan
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 83 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.77s (100m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021) and 20.33s (200m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2022)

Ferdinand Omanyala is a fast runner from Kenya. He runs in short races like the 60 meters, 100 meters, and 200 meters. In 2022, he won first place in the 100 meters at the Commonwealth Games and the African Championships in Athletics. Ferdinand Omanyala is also the best in Kenya for the 60 meters.

8. Trayvon Bromell - 9.76 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Trayvon Jaquez Bromell
Born: 10 July 1995
Age: 28 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 71 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.76s (100m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021) and 20.03s (200m in Eugene, OR, United States in 2015)

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Trayvon Bromell achieved a significant milestone as a junior athlete when he became the first to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters. He set a new junior world record with a remarkable time of 9.97 seconds. Trayvon Bromell also showcased his exceptional skills at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya. He blazed through the race in just 9.76 seconds.

7. Fred Kerley - 9.76 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Fredrick Lee Kerley
Born: 7 May 1995
Age: 28 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 93 kg
Event(s): 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters
Personal best: 9.76s (100m in Eugene, OR, United States in 2022) and 19.76s (200m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021)

Fred began his professional journey by participating in the 400 meters. Throughout his career, he has achieved multiple accolades at the World Championships, excelling in both the 400 meters and the 4 × 400 meters relay. In the 2022 competition, Fred Kerley emerged as the gold medalist in the 100 meters.

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6. Christian Coleman - 9.76 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Christian Coleman
Born: 6 March 1996
Age: 27 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Event(s): 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.76 s (100m in Doha, Qatar, in 2019) and 19.85 s (200 m in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, in 2017)

Sprinter Coleman is among the fastest people in the USA. He is the world champion in the 100m. At the 2017 World Athletics Championships, Christian Coleman won two gold medals. He also runs a 4×100-metre relay, 4×200-meter relay, 60-meter dash, and 40-yard dash races.

5. Justin Gatlin - 9.74 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Justin Alexander Gatlin
Born: 10 February 1982
Age: 41 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.74 s (100m in Doha, Qatar, in 2015) and 19.71 s (200m in Eugene, Oregon, USA, in 2015)

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Gatlin is one of the top ten high-speed runners globally, with a world record of 9.74 seconds in the 100m. He won the Olympic 100m title in 2004 and was the world champion in both 2015 and 2017. Justin Gatlin is also the 2005 World Champion in 200 m and the 2019 World Champion in the 4 x 100m relay.

4. Asafa Powell - 9.72 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Asafa Powell, CD
Born: 23 November 1982
Age: 40 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Linstead, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 87 kg
Event(s): 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.72 s (100m in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2008) and 19.90 s (200m in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2006)

The retired Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell is also on the list of speedy runners. He had a history of setting the 100m world record twice, 9.77 seconds in June 2005 and 9.74 seconds in May 2008. In September 2008, Powell set a personal best record of 9.72 s in the 100-metre dash race in Lausanne, Switzerland.

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3. Yohan Blake - 9.69 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Yohan Blake
Born: 26 December 1989
Age: 33 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: St. James Parish, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Event(s): 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.69 s (100m in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2012) and 19.26 s (200 m in Brussels, Belgium, in 2011)

Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake won gold in the 100 x 4 relay event at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. As a result, fans nicknamed him "The Beast." During the 2011 World Athletics Championships, he won gold in the 100-metre dash as the youngest 100m world champion ever. Blake has bagged 14 gold, four silver, and three bronze medals in his international competitions.

2. Tyson Gay - 9.69 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Tyson Gay
Born: 9 August 1982
Age: 41 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace: Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Event(s): 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.69 s (100m in Shanghai, China, in 2009) and 19.58 s (200 m in New York, USA, in 2009)

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The retired American athlete is the second quickest sprinter globally after running a 200-meter race in 19.58 seconds during the 2009 Adidas Grand Prix competition. Completing the 100-meter dash in 9.69 seconds at the 2009 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix contest contributed to his rise to fame. Tyson Gay is also considered one of the fastest man in the world km/h.

1. Usain Bolt - 9.58 seconds (100m dash)

Full name: Usain St. Leo Bolt OJ CD OLY
Born: 21 August 1986
Age: 37 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Sherwood Content, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 94 kg
Event(s): 100 meters, 200 meters
Personal best: 9.58 s (100m in Berlin, Germany, in 2009) and 19.19 s (200m in Berlin, Germany, in 2009)

Jamaica sprinter Usain retired in 2017 with a long list of awards and records to his name. He mostly participated in the 100-meter race and the world regards him as the greatest 100m sprinter of all time. Fans nicknamed Usain Bolt the "Bullet".

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How fast is Usain Bolt?

He is the fastest person in the world in mph with a 9.58 seconds world record in the 100m sprint. It is the shortest 100m sprint time ever.

Summary table of fastest person in the world in 100m dash

Rank	Name	Time record
1	Usain Bolt	9.58 seconds
2	Tyson Gay	9.69 seconds
3	Yohan Blake	9.69 seconds
4	Asafa Powell	9.72 seconds
5	Justin Gatlin	9.74 seconds
6	Christian Coleman	9.76 seconds
7	Fred Kerley	9.76 seconds
8	Trayvon Bromell	9.76 seconds
9	Ferdinand Omanyala	9.77 seconds
10	Nesta Carter	9.78 seconds
11	Maurice Greene	9.79 seconds
12	Steve Mullings	9.80 seconds
13	Lamont Marcell Jacobs	9.80 seconds
14	Richard Thompson	9.82 seconds
15	Ronnie Baker	9.83 seconds

What is the world fastest man speed?

The world fastest man speed was 9.58 seconds in a 100m dash recorded in 2009 Berlin, Germany. This was a race completed by Usain Bolt.

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Who is the fastest woman in the world?

The late Florence Griffith Joyner is regarded as the fastest woman in the world. She registered a world record in women's 100m race after she clocked 10.49 seconds at the US Olympic Trials in July 1988.

Who is the fastest kid in the world?

Rudolph Blaze is a kid athlete who is regarded as the fastest kid in the world. He is running 100m race and has recorded a speed of 13.86 seconds.

Who is the world's fastest man now?

Retired Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt is the fastest human in the world. In 2009, he set personal best records of 9.58 seconds in the 100-metre dash and 19.19 seconds in 200-metre dash races in Berlin, Germany.

Who is the fastest man in 2023?

As of 2023, Noah Lyles holds the title of the fastest man in the world. His remarkable performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, saw him triumph in the men's 100m final with a time of 9.83 seconds.

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Who is faster than Usain Bolt?

At the age of 22, Usain Bolt established world records of 9.58 seconds in the 100m dash and 19.19 seconds in the 200m. Since then, no one has been able to equal these record-breaking times, solidifying Bolt's status as the fastest person in the world.

Even though retired, Usain Bolt is still regarded as the fastest person in the world today. Other athletes closely following him with their records are Tyson Gay, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell.

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