JamaicaBiography
Olympic and world champion, world record holder, greatest achiever of sprints. Widely considered to be the greatest sprint king of all-time.
Born and raised in small village Sherwood Content. Attended William Knibb High School, one of the famous schools in track and field competition in Jamaica. Won first international medal in CARIFTA Games, then appeared World U18 Champs in Debrecen at the age of 15, but did not win a medal.
Bolt won World U20 200 meters title in Kingston as he made the first impact on the global scene. Same year (2003), equalled American Roy Martin's world U20 record (20.13) in same event. Subsequent year, Bolt became the first junior athlete to ran under 20 seconds (19.93) in 200 metres. He took lots of scholarship offers from US Universities, but refused all of them to stay in Jamaica.
Bolt agreed with a new coach in 2005, who was Glen Mills, his career defined mentor. Mills turns Bolt to a global star and a record machine. The tall Jamaican took silver medal in Osaka World Champs behind American star Tyson Gay in Summer of 2007, but that was only the beginning.
After breaking 'surprise' 100m world record in New York's Icahn Stadium with 9.72 - only fifth official 100m race in his career - decided to double-mission on sprint instead of focusing only 200 metres. Within two months, he became a sensation over the globe with an amazing double in 100-200 in Beijing Olympics, plus stunning records in both events. He clocked 9.69 in 100 metres, just four days later, beat Michael Johnson's 'impossible' 19.32 world record by 0.02. He complete sprint triple with relays, but later that 4x100 medal dropped by IOC after confirming his teammate Nesta Carter's doping.
One year later, Bolt landed in Berlin as 'superhero'. He stuns everybody once more to doubled again in sprints. He became world champion both 100 and 200 metres by breaking his own records with 9.58 and 19.19, which are still stands.
Usain Bolt's infamous accident came in Daegu 2011. Despite known as a slow-starter, he made an early move (even before the gun, reax time -0.104) and disqualified from 100 metres final. But he defended his title for curved sprint.
Before 2012 Olympics, he defeated both in 100 and 200m in Jamaican Champs by young compatriot Yohan Blake. Meanwhile, Bolt outsprinted his rival in London as defended successfully to his Olympic titles.
Usain Bolt has strengthened his legendary status about winning big races in Moscow, Beijing and Rio Olympics. He won every race who entered in this three major events, added his amazing tally to nine more golds. After Rio Olympics, he became the first athlete to win three consecutive 100 and 200 metres Olympic gold medallist in history. He has more World Championships gold medals from any other male athlete also.
His very last big event wasn't like the others. Despite lack of preparation, he wanted to make one last hurrah in London's Olympic Stadium, where he lightened five years ago. But he did not managed well in 100 metres, which won by his old foe Justin Gatlin as Bolt came only third. More dramatically, he pulled out on the final straights of 4x100 relay race in the end. His last official race ends with a heart-breaking injury.
After his retirement, Usain Bolt tried some soccer ousting, most notable with Australian (A-League) team Central Coast Mariners. But he fell short in this adventure leaving them after eight weeks stint.
PERSONAL BESTS
100m: 9.58 (2009) WR
200m: 19.19 (2009) WR
300m: 30.97
400m: 45.28 (2007)
4x100m: 36.94 (2012) WR
HIS WORLD RECORDS (8)
100m: 9.72 (1.7) - New York 31.05.2008
100m: 9.69 (0.0) - Beijing, 16.08.2008
100m: 9.58 (0.9) - Berlin, 16.08.2009
200m: 19.30 (-0.9) - Beijing, 20.08.2008
200m: 19.19 (-0.3) - Berlin, 20.08.2009
4x100m: 37.31, Berlin, 22.08.2009
4x100m: 37.04, Daegu, 04.09.2011
4x100m: 36.84, London, 11.08.2012
TRIVIA
♦ Graduated University of Technology, Kingston. Same school with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
♦ Father Wellesley, mother Jennifer. Older brother Sadiki, sister Sherine. Parents had a grocery shop in village during his childhood days.
♦ Girlfriend, Kasi Bennett.
♦ Awards: IAAF Rising star (2003), IAAF Athlete of the Year (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016), Laureaus Sportsman Of the Year (2009, 2010, 2013, 2017), BBC Overseas Sports Personality of The Year (2008, 2009, 2012)
♦ During his famous 9.58 world record in 100 metres (Berlin 2009), topped to average speed with 44.72 km/h.
♦ He has total 53 legal performances in 100 metres under 10 seconds.
♦ He became highest annual earning in athletics history (estimated 20.3 million USD in 2012)
♦ Keen cricket fan. Played school cricket in chilhood.
Books on him:
♦ Faster than Lightning, My Story - Usain Bolt Autobiography
♦ Usain Bolt, The Roi du Sprint by Henri Rojas
Text by S.F. Erbay