Will Usain Bolt’s ‘Unbreakable’ 100m Record Finally Be Broken This Year?
Usain Bolt’s 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, which was set in 2009 at the World Championships in Berlin, still stands as the fastest sprint in history. Despite advancements in track surfaces, footwear, and athlete conditioning, no one has run faster in over a decade. In fact, only a handful have even broken 9.80 since then.
But with the 2025 World Athletics Championships underway and a strong group of contenders coming up, this year has drawn fresh attention. Are any of them actually close to beating the mark?
Bolt Thinks Today’s Sprinters Still Aren’t Close
Image via Wikimedia Commons/J. Brichto
When asked, Usain Bolt made his stance very clear. He does not believe his 100m world record is under threat this season. Speaking at a Puma event just before the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, he explained that while current athletes show potential, none have shown the level of consistency or speed required to seriously challenge his 9.58-second run.
After all, his sprint standard has stood for over 16 years without a single performance dipping below 9.70 since 2012. He referenced Yohan Blake’s historic sub-9.70 run in 2012 as the last serious challenge.
According to Bolt, talent exists, but execution remains a gap. He emphasized that conditions, competition, and timing must all align perfectly. Until then, he sees no reason to worry. For now, the gap between the best of today and the standard he set remains wide.
Top Rivals Struggle to Close the Gap
Several current sprinters have proven to be credible threats on paper, but their performances continue to fall short of Bolt’s level. Noah Lyles, who took 100m gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics and bronze in the 200m, has been the most vocal about aiming for the record. His personal best in the 100m stands at 9.79 seconds.
Fred Kerley and Trayvon Bromell have each posted times of 9.76, which remain the fastest of the decade. Christian Coleman also shares that mark, though his career was briefly interrupted due to suspension. Marcell Jacobs, the surprise winner at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, holds a best of 9.80.
While the individual achievements of these athletes are significant, no sprinter has produced the combination of raw speed and repeatability that would make the target seem within reach.
New Science Suggests Bolt Could Have Been Quicker
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Fernando Frazão
Recent analysis by sports scientist Wouter Hoogkamer and his team at the University of Massachusetts offered a bold prediction. Their research, commissioned by Puma, concluded that if Usain Bolt had worn today’s “super spikes” in 2009, he could have finished the 100m in 9.42 seconds.
That estimate is based on data collected from 15 elite athletes and biomechanical modeling that factored in advances in foam midsoles and carbon plate technology. These innovations reduce energy loss and enhance stride efficiency.
Bolt acknowledged the results and said that he believed them, especially after watching athletes like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce improve in recent years using the new shoes. Although he never tested them himself, he recognized their impact.
The study reinforces how much technology can affect performance. Even with the same athlete and the same race conditions, equipment can make a measurable difference. Even so, no sprinter has reached his original 9.58, despite having access to the best gear available.