Is Usain Bolt Still the Fastest Man in the World?

Published 01/20/2022, 7:45 AM EST

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When Usain Bolt retired from athletics, the world missed a man with unbelievable skill. He dominated the competition for a long time, winning several high-profile races. He earned eight gold medals and won both the 100 and 200-meters in three consecutive Olympic Games. Likewise, he is the current world record holder of the 100 and 200m competitions.

Out of all the athletes in the line, some are getting closer, but well-shy of the world record he set in Berlin. That’s the thing with Bolt. Somehow, athletes cannot reach that mark. There are no debates on how Bolt is the fastest man alive; however, what happens if he comes back and races? Can he still be the fastest man in the world?

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Can Usain Bolt still be the best at 35?

Out of all the races he has competed in, Bolt dominated the athletics competitions from 2008 to 2016. Barring the shocking disqualification in 2011 at Daegu, he has won every single gold medal in whatever competitions he took part in. Some may say his retirement came early, considering Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is still going strong at 35.

He still has the top three times set in the 100-meters competition. While Tyson Gay and Yohan Blake equaled his 9.69, Bolt created two times which is an incredible feat. Maybe Blake could have won more gold medals in a different era. Not to forget, he won that race when Bolt got disqualified.

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His time of 9.58 was set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin and the 9.63 set during the 2012 London Olympics. These times are yet to be met. Although he doesn’t come sprinting off the blocks, Bolt gradually gets into his rhythm and ends the race devastatingly. However, he had his eyes set on the three consecutive gold medals at the start.

No man has ever accomplished the world’s fastest man title for three years. Having a hamstring injury during the 2017 World Athletics Championship ended his dreams of coming back to the track. Thus, he achieved everything he had and signed off with a big smile. Despite all these years since 2009, no one has come close to his record. However, there are some new kids on the block.

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Trayvon Bromell and Erriyon Knighton

During the final stop of the athletics season at the 2021 World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series in Nairobi, Kenya, an American sprinter crossed the line stunningly. Trayvon Bromell set the fastest time of 2021, 9.76 seconds, and raised a few eyebrows. In what turned out to be one of the fastest races in 2021, he led the race with his incredible sprinting. This is the sixth-fastest time in the world as the 26-year-old looks to compete at the highest level.

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Apart from him, a young prodigy is rising through the ranks. Erriyon Knighton is a star for the future. He broke Bolt’s under-18 200-meters world record and set a time of 20.11, two seconds above the existing record. Even though many athletes are fighting for his place, Bolt is way ahead in terms of consistency and performance. That 9.58 world record seems harder day by day.

Irrespective of his training and skill level, Bolt’s physical stature is unique. He is 6’5″ tall, and it helps him to be ahead of most of his opponents. The long strides and the perfect body position helped him win many medals.

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His time in athletics is truly over. There won’t be a comeback as he is debuting in other ventures. The 9.58 might be one world record that may never be broken. It is equivalent to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game in the NBA. A monumental challenge presents itself for the athletes coming in. With all due respect to them, Usain Bolt stands head and shoulders above the rest. He is the fastest man alive and will be for the distant future!

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Jacob Gijy

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Jacob Gijy is a US Sports and NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Gijy finished his Masters in Counselling Psychology and worked in a hospital for 2 years before his passion for sports compelled him to find his way to sports journalism. A fan of the great Tim Duncan, he is always ready to pick up a debate with anyone who does not offer the center the respect he deserves.
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