Usain Bolt Sets the World Record in the 100 Meters with a Time of 9.72 Seconds. On May 31, 2008, at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York City, a young Jamaican sprinter named Usain Bolt stunned the world by breaking the 100-meter world record with an astonishing time of 9.72 seconds….

Usain Bolt Sets the World Record in the 100 Meters with a Time of 9.72 Seconds.

On May 31, 2008, at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York City, a young Jamaican sprinter named Usain Bolt stunned the world by breaking the 100-meter world record with an astonishing time of 9.72 seconds….

 

This performance not only signaled the arrival of a new global sprinting star but also redefined the boundaries of human speed.

Before this historic race, Bolt was already gaining attention for his dominance in the 200 meters, an event he had specialized in since his junior years. Many experts doubted his potential in the 100 meters, believing that his tall frame and slower starts would be a disadvantage in the shorter sprint. However, Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills, recognized the potential in his stride length and explosive top-end speed. After limited appearances in the 100 meters earlier in the year, Bolt was given a chance to prove himself against some of the world’s best sprinters at the Reebok Grand Prix.

The conditions on that evening in New York were nearly perfect—mild temperatures, minimal wind, and a charged atmosphere. Bolt lined up against a competitive field, including American sprinter Tyson Gay, the reigning world champion. When the starting gun fired, Bolt got off to a clean, if not spectacular, start. But what happened over the next few seconds was simply remarkable.

By the 30-meter mark, Bolt began to gain ground, and by the halfway point, he was already pulling ahead. What set him apart, though, was his ability to maintain and even increase his speed over the final meters—a phase of the race where most sprinters begin to slow down. With each long, powerful stride, Bolt extended his lead, eventually crossing the finish line in 9.72 seconds.

The crowd erupted in astonishment and celebration. Bolt, almost casually, thumped his chest in celebration, seemingly aware that he had just done something extraordinary. The time was quickly confirmed and ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), making Bolt the new world record holder, surpassing Asafa Powell’s previous mark of 9.74 seconds set in 2007.

Bolt’s performance in New York marked the beginning of a new era in sprinting. He would go on to break his own record multiple times, including a jaw-dropping 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, a time that still stands today. But it was on that May evening in 2008 that the world truly took notice of the lanky Jamaican who would soon become a global icon.

More than just a race, Bolt’s 9.72-second run was a cultural moment. It signaled the rise of an athlete who combined raw talent with charisma, joy, and showmanship—qualities that endeared him to fans worldwide. It also ignited new conversations about the limits of human performance and inspired a generation of young athletes. In retrospect, that race in New York was not just a record-breaking moment—it was the start of a legend.