Usain Bolt’s Top 5 100 Metre Races As Fred Kerley, Zharnel Hughes Target His 9.58 Sec World Record

Usain Bolt's legacy is assured as the greatest sprinter in history, owing to his remarkable achievements and unrivalled supremacy over his competitors.

The Jamaican athlete, still hailed as the fastest man alive, revolutionized the sport in an extraordinary fashion.

Despite the persistent efforts of American sprinter, Fred Kerley and Great Britain's Zharnel Hughes, Bolt's world records in the 100-metre and 200-metre events remain unchallenged.

Nonetheless, the records of the eight-time Olympic gold medalist face an ongoing challenge from these talented athletes, particularly in the 100-metre dash.

Zharnel Hughes, who currently holds the distinction as the fastest man in the world this year with a time of 9.83 seconds, poses a significant threat, BBC reports.

Additionally, Fred Kerley, who has maintained an undefeated streak in the short sprint event over the past year, stands as the sixth-fastest man in history, boasting a personal best of 9.76 seconds.

In this Sports Brief report, we delve into the top five 100-metre races that solidified Bolt's legacy as arguably the greatest sprinter in history:

5. Beijing 2015

Bolt faced immense pressure leading up to his highly anticipated clash with 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist, Justin Gatlin at the World Championships, according to Athletics Weekly.

Gatlin had been on an impressive winning streak, but the Jamaican speed demon demonstrated his prowess in high-pressure situations by triumphing with a mere one-hundredth of a second advantage.

Bolt crossed the finish line in 9.79 seconds, while Gatlin, losing his form in the final moments, desperately lunged for the line with a time of 9.80 seconds.

4. New York 2008

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Making a remarkable entrance onto the athletics scene, Usain Bolt created a significant impact despite his relative anonymity.

Participating in only his fifth senior 100-metre race on May 31, 2008, in New York, Bolt astounded the world with an awe-inspiring performance, setting a new world record time of 9.72 seconds.

This groundbreaking achievement by the then-young Jamaican laid the foundation for the highly anticipated Beijing Olympics, which unfolded a few weeks later.

3. Beijing 2008

Bolt's performance at the Beijing Olympics proved to be an unforgettable showcase that propelled him onto the global stage.

Breaking his own world record with a time of 9.69 seconds, he showcased his unparalleled dominance in a fiercely competitive field.

With a remarkable display, he exuberantly spread his arms wide and showboated during the final 20 meters, giving the impression of deceleration, leaving a lasting impression on spectators worldwide.

2. London 2012

Bolt, now a beloved figure among fans, solidified his status as a legend at the London Games.

With a captivating performance, he clinched a gold medal in the highly anticipated 100-metre event, setting an Olympic record of 9.63 seconds and successfully retaining his title from Beijing.

Blitzing past formidable competitors like Yohan Blake and Justin Gatlin from the USA, Bolt's victory highlighted his unrivalled supremacy in the world of sprinting.

1. Berlin 2009

Exhibiting exceptional form, Bolt catapulted ahead of Tyson Gay in a captivating race, leaving the American trailing by an impressive two-meter gap.

Breaking all expectations, Bolt achieved an astonishing world record time of 9.58 seconds, surpassing his previous record by over a tenth of a second.

Even after crossing the finish line, Bolt required most of the bend to gradually decelerate. The magnitude of this achievement makes it incredibly difficult to imagine any other sprinter surpassing this record in the foreseeable future.

Records Bolt failed to break

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that despite the plethora of records the speedy Jamaican does hold, there is one that eludes him.

Bolt failed to break other records when he was in his prime. In 2010, he tried to break the then 300m world record, which was held by American sprinter, Michael Johnson.