With unparalleled stamina and blazing speed, the fastest runner in the world Usain Bolt excelled in the fiercely competitive realm of sprinting for many years.
He competed against many other equally talented sprinters.
Their mission: to conquer the shortest distance in record-breaking time.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the 10 fastest runners in the world who have seized numerous medals in international competitions and consistently thrilled fans.
10. Richard Thompson – 9.82 seconds (100m dash)
Richard Thompson, celebrated for his 100-meter excellence and second-place finish to Usain Bolt in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He achieved a remarkable 9.82-second personal best in June 2014.
This time, a national record, secures his position among the top ten fastest sprinters in history.
Additionally, he holds the fourth-fastest time among Trinidad and Tobago athletes in the 200 meters.
Full name: Richard “Torpedo” Thompson
Born: 7 June 1985
Age: 37 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Nationality: Trinidadian
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Event(s): 60 meters, 100 metres, 200 metres
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)
Net worth:$10 million.
9. Steve Mullings – 9.80 seconds (100m dash)
Steve Mullings, a Jamaican former sprinter, is recognized as one of the world’s fastest runners.
Specializing in 100m and 200m events, he clocked 9.80 seconds in the 100m, securing a top-ten global ranking.
Unfortunately, in 2011, Mullings received a lifetime ban from athletics due to doping violations.
Full name: Steve Mullings
Born: 28 November 1982
Age: 40 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Event(s): 60 metres, 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.80 s (100m in Eugene, Oregon, in 2011) and 19.98 s (200m in Berlin in 2009)
Net worth:$1 million – $10 million
8. Maurice Greene – 9.79 seconds (100m dash)
Maurice Greene, a former American track and field athlete, achieved remarkable success in his career, securing five Olympic medals, including two golds.
His reign as the world’s fastest sprinter, marked by five Olympic gold medals and a world record-setting 9.79-second run in the 100 meters, lasted six years until 2005.
Born: 23 July 1974
Age: 48 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 82 kg
Event(s): 50 meters, 60 meters, 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.79 s (100m in Athens, Greece, in 1999) and 19.86 s (200m in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1997).
Net worth:$2 Million
7. Nesta Carter – 9.78 seconds (100m dash)
Former Jamaican sprinter Nesta Carter left an indelible mark in the 100-meter dash, securing gold medals and setting records.
His swiftest run of 9.78 seconds in the 100 meters showcased his prowess.
Carter also attained a commendable third place in Moscow’s individual 100m world championships in 2013, earning recognition as one of the United States’ most prominent athletes.
jamaica runner Nesta Carter[source;instagram]
Full name: Nesta Carter OD
Born: 11 October 1985
Age: 37 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Manchester Parish, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Event(s): 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.78 s (100m in Rieti, Italy, in 2010) and 20.25 s (200 m in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2011)
Net worth:between $1 Million – $5 Million
6. Christian Coleman – 9.76 seconds (100m dash)
Sprinter Christian Coleman, a USA standout, holds the title of world champion in the 100m.
He clinched two gold medals at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
Coleman showcases his speed in various races, including the 4×100m relay, 4×200m relay, 60m dash, and 40-yard dash.
Full name: Christian Coleman
Born: 6 March 1996
Age: 26 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Event(s): 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.76 s (100m in Doha, Qatar, in 2019) and 19.85 s (200 m in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, in 2017)
Net worth:$100,000 – $1M
5. Justin Gatlin – 9.74 seconds (100m dash)
Gatlin ranks among the world’s fastest runners, boasting a 100m world record of 9.74s.
He clinched Olympic gold in 2004 and held world titles in 2015 and 2017.
Additionally, he secured the 200m World Championship in 2005 and the 4x100m relay in 2019.
Born: 10 February 1982
Age: 40 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Event(s): 60 metres, 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.74 s (100m in Doha, Qatar, in 2015) and 19.71 s (200m in Eugene, Oregon, USA, in 2015)
Net worth:$6.5 million.
4. Asafa Powell – 9.72 seconds (100m dash)
Similarly, the retired Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell earned his place among swift runners.
He twice held the 100m world record, first at 9.77 seconds in June 2005 and then at 9.74 seconds in May 2008.
Notably, in September 2008, Powell achieved a personal best of 9.72 seconds in the 100-meter dash race in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Full name: Asafa Powell, CD
Born: 23 November 1982
Age: 40 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Linstead, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 87 kg
Event(s): 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.72 s (100m in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2008) and 19.90 s (200m in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2006)
Net worth:
3. Yohan Blake – 9.69 seconds (100m dash)
Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake won gold in the 100 x 4 relay event at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
He earned the nickname “The Beast” and became the youngest 100m world champion during the 2011 World Athletics Championships, securing gold.
Blake has bagged 14 gold, four silver, and three bronze medals in his international competitions.
Full name: Yohan Blake
Born: 26 December 1989
Age: 33 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: St. James Parish, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Event(s): 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.69 s (100m in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2012) and 19.26 s (200 m in Brussels, Belgium, in 2011)
Net worth:$5 million.
2.Tyson Gay – 9.69 seconds (100m dash)
Post the 2009 Adidas Grand Prix, the retired American sprinter ranked as the world’s second-fastest, recording 19.58 seconds in the 200m.
His outstanding 9.69-second 100m performance at the 2009 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix reaffirmed his standing among the fastest 200m athletes.
Tyson Gay [source Instagaram}
Tyson Gay [source Instagaram}Full name: Tyson Gay
Born: 9 August 1982
Age: 40 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Event(s): 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.69 s (100m in Shanghai, China, in 2009) and 19.58 s (200 m in New York, USA, in 2009)
Net worth:$12 million.
1. Usain Bolt – 9.58 seconds (100m dash)
Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter known as the “Bullet,” retired in 2017, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Primarily a 100-meter specialist, he is hailed as the greatest 100m sprinter in history.
Bolt holds the world record for the shortest 100m sprint time ever, an astounding 9.58 seconds, solidifying his status as the fastest runner on the planet.
Born: 21 August 1986
Age: 36 years (as of February 2023)
Birthplace: Sherwood Content, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 94 kg
Event(s): 100 metres, 200 metres
Personal best: 9.58 s (100m in Berlin, Germany, in 2009) and 19.19 s (200m in Berlin, Germany, in 2009).
Net worth:$90 million.
Usain Bolt is the fastest person on earth in 2023.
The retired Jamaican sprinter has topped the list of the world’s fastest human for over two decades.
He still holds the record of the fastest racer in the 100m race.
Bolt broke many records and set new ones that are yet to be broken.
