Before Usain Bolt became a global icon, Asafa Powell was the standard-bearer for Jamaican sprinting on the world stage. He burst onto the scene on June 14, 2005, in Athens, Greece, when he became the first Jamaican to break the men’s 100m world record, clocking a remarkable 9.77 seconds. This monumental feat surpassed the previous record of 9.78 seconds held by Tim Montgomery.

Powell further solidified his claim as the world’s fastest man by lowering his own record to 9.74 seconds at the IAAF Grand Prix in Rieti, Italy, on September 9, 2007.

Usain Bolt: The Lightning Bolt

While Powell paved the way, Usain Bolt ascended to a level of dominance that redefined the sport. Bolt first broke the 100m world record on May 31, 2008, in New York, clocking 9.72 seconds, just a few months before the Beijing Olympics.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics witnessed Bolt’s true arrival as a sprinting legend. He not only won the 100m gold medal but also shattered his own world record, achieving an astonishing time of 9.69 seconds. Remarkably, he achieved this feat despite celebrating before crossing the finish line, leading to speculation that he could have run even faster.

The following year, at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Bolt left no doubt about his supreme athleticism. He obliterated his own record once again, setting the current untouchable mark of 9.58 seconds. This iconic performance solidified his legacy as the fastest man in history and remains the current world record for the men’s 100m.

Key takeaways

Jamaica has a rich legacy of producing world-class sprinters, with Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt being instrumental in etching the country’s name into the 100m world record books.

Asafa Powell

• First Jamaican to break the 100m world record (9.77 seconds) on June 14, 2005.
• Lowered his record to 9.74 seconds on September 9, 2007.

Usain Bolt

• First broke the record on May 31, 2008, with 9.72 seconds.
• Set a new Olympic record at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with 9.69 seconds.
• Holds the current world record of 9.58 seconds, set on August 16, 2009.

Questions and Answers

Q: Who was the first Jamaican to break the men’s 100m world record?
A: Asafa Powell.

Q: When did Asafa Powell first break the 100m world record, and what was his time?
A: June 14, 2005, with a time of 9.77 seconds.

Q: Who holds the current men’s 100m world record?
A: Usain Bolt.

Q: What is Usain Bolt’s current 100m world record time?
A: 9.58 seconds.

Q: When did Usain Bolt set his first world record in the 100m, and what was the time?
A: May 31, 2008, with a time of 9.72 seconds.