via Getty
BEIJING – AUGUST 20: Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal in the Men’s 200m Final ahead of Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe and Shawn Crawford of the United States at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
via Getty
BEIJING – AUGUST 20: Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal in the Men’s 200m Final ahead of Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe and Shawn Crawford of the United States at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Tokyo Olympics 2020 missed the Olympic legend Usain Bolt, who has now retired. The world admires Bolt for his track record at the Olympics and world championships. Bolt established the world record in 100m and 200m in 2009.
Since 2009, no athlete has ever crossed Bolt’s incredible time. Interestingly, Tokyo Olympics 2020 gold medalist Rai Benjamin has claimed that his teammate can break the record. According to Benjamin, his American teammate Michael Norman can surpass the time record.
Usain Bolt vs Michael Norman’s track record
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At the 2009 World Championship, Usain Bolt recorded the astonishing world record in the 100 meters and 200-meters events. The Olympic legend Usain Bolt has clinched eight medals at the mega-quadrennial games.
Bolt’s untouchable 100m record is set at 9.58 seconds, while 200m record is set at 19.19 seconds. Whereas, Norman has a 400m world record set at 44.52 seconds.
USA’s Rai Benjamin clinched the Tokyo Olympics gold medal in the 400*4m relay race alongside Michael Norman. Benjamin has claimed on his Twitter that Michael Norman can break Bolt’s untouchable record.
Rai tweeted, ” Hot take?. I think Michael Norman can break the world record in the 100m.. completely Unbiased.”?
Hot take…. I think Michael Norman can break the world record in the 100m.. completely Unbiased
— Rai Benjamin (@_Kingben_) August 16, 2021
Michael Norman’s 100m stellar run in 2020
Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin are both 400m runners. Interestingly, Norman did not even compete in the 100m race in Tokyo. So, how is Benjamin making a claim this strong? The reason can be Norman’s 2020 performance at a race in Texas.
Michael Norman stunned everyone by recording a 9.86 time in the 100m race. Notably, he ran after four years, and his last personal best in 100m was 10.27, which he established in 2016.
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via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 400m – Final – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 5, 2021. Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas in action on his way to winning gold alongside Michael Norman of the United States and bronze medallist, Kirani James of Grenada REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Adding more to his achievement list, Norman created a record in 2020. Norman became the second athlete in the world to finish a race under 10 seconds in 100m, under 44 seconds in 400m, and under 20 seconds in 200m race.
Only two athletes have been able to come close to Usain Bolt’s stunning record. Tyson Gay and Yohan Blake both finished the race at 9.69, just points away from Bolt’s record. However, the record is still in Bolt’s name.
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When Norman recorded the 10 seconds performance in 100m, he joked about changing his event. After Tokyo Olympics, Michael will compete at the upcoming Prefontaine Classic Championship. Will USA’s star break the untouchable Bolt record or not, only time will tell.
Also read: Olympic Gold Medallist Believes Sports ?Suffered? During Usain Bolt Era of Dominance
