Did Anyone Beat Usain Bolt? And what is the star doing now?

Usain Bolt is known by many as the greatest sprinter in history. Throughout his career, he captivated fans around the world with his record-breaking performances in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and the 4×100 meters relay.

Born in Jamaica on August 21, 1986, Bolt rose from a promising school athlete to a global icon. He did not just win races—he often dominated them.

His official personal best of 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters, set in 2009, still stands today as the fastest time ever recorded.

Meanwhile, his 200 meters world record of 19.19 seconds has also stood firm for more than a decade.

Given his remarkable list of achievements, it might seem impossible that anyone ever outran him in direct competition.

Yet, even the fastest man in history has found himself on the losing end of a race on a few rare occasions.

However, these defeats often happened under special conditions or at times when Bolt was not in peak form.

Over the years, only a handful of sprinters managed to cross the finish line first when facing Bolt head-to-head.

This article will look at the times athletes beat Bolt, the context around those races, and the reasons behind those outcomes.

We will also explore what Bolt has been doing since he retired from professional athletics, as he is no longer racing at international events.

Beyond his time on the track, Bolt has explored business ventures and charity work, while also stepping into new fields. He remains an influential figure in sports culture worldwide.

Early Life: Growing up in Jamaica

Usain Bolt did not become a global star overnight. Growing up in Trelawny, Jamaica, he fell in love with cricket and soccer before focusing on sprinting.

A lot of people think of him as a 100-meter specialist, but interestingly, he first made his mark in the 200 meters.

While still a teenager, he earned comparisons to more seasoned Jamaican sprinters. At the age of 15, he became the youngest-ever world junior champion in the 200 meters in 2002.

This victory at such a young age signalled the start of a future that would include multiple world records.

Even as he advanced through junior competitions, Bolt’s combination of height and speed set him apart.

Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, he did not have the typical build of a short-distance runner.

Many sprint coaches traditionally believed that shorter legs allow for faster leg turnover. Bolt and his coaches, however, turned that idea on its head.

By refining his technique and working on his explosive starts, he showed that his long stride could be a huge advantage.

When Bolt was entering the professional level, he suffered from back injuries and other physical setbacks.

These affected his early appearances in major competitions, including the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where he was eliminated in the first round of the 200 meters due to a leg injury.

It took time for him to build strength and consistency. By 2007, he had matured into a genuine competitor in both the 100 meters and 200 meters, though the 100 meters was still relatively new to him.

2008 and Beyond

Bolt’s big breakthrough came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He entered the 100 meters final as a challenger to the then-world-record-holder Asafa Powell and American competitors like Tyson Gay, who had been strong favourites.

Bolt ran 9.69 seconds in the final, breaking the world record with a time set in spectacular fashion. Not only did he finish far ahead of the rest, but he also started celebrating before crossing the line.

From that point on, Bolt seemed unstoppable. At the same Olympics, he shattered the 200 meters world record, running 19.30 seconds.

He then teamed up with the Jamaican squad in the 4×100 meters relay to break yet another world record.

That year, the world of athletics was in awe of his breathtaking times, fun personality, and showmanship.

In 2009, Bolt somehow improved his times further at the World Championships in Berlin, running 9.58 seconds (100 meters) and 19.19 seconds (200 meters). Many at the time felt these records might stand for decades.

His winning ways continued at the 2012 London Olympics, where he defended his 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 meters titles.

He repeated the feat of winning gold in all three events at the 2016 Rio Olympics, capping off an Olympic career with a total of eight gold medals (one of the golds from 2008 was later stripped from the Jamaican team due to a teammate’s doping violation, but the rest remain).

Why Usain Bolt is so Fast

Usain Bolt’s extraordinary speed started with his body. At 6’5″ tall, he had a much longer stride than most elite sprinters and could cover more ground in each step.

Usain Bolt consistently finished a 100m race in just 41 strides – three or four fewer than his competitors.

This suggests that he spent less energy than other sprinters and was able to maintain his speed for longer.

Professional sprinters seem to spend about 60% of their race airborne, with no foot on the ground. Amateur athletes share similar trends but are slightly slower at 50%.

Nonetheless, Usain Bolt’s towering height helped him stand out from all other competitive runners, as he had a considerable advantage when it came to speed.

Did Anyone Beat Usain Bolt?

Despite the belief that Usain Bolt was unbeatable at his peak, there were times athletes finished ahead of him.

Most of these instances happened either before Bolt truly became the main force in sprinting or during seasons when he was coming back from injuries or lacking fitness.

Still, they are part of his story and worth exploring.

Early Career Losses

In the early 2000s, Bolt was a rising junior athlete. During that phase, he lost to a variety of competitors, especially outside the biggest events.

For instance, he faced defeats in some minor meets in Europe when he was figuring out how to handle professional-level demands.

These losses are not widely reported because they occurred before he turned into a global star.

Tyson Gay in Stockholm (2010)

One of the most famous defeats happened in the 100 meters in Stockholm in 2010.

Tyson Gay, an American sprinter who at one point held the US record in the 100 meters at 9.69 seconds, managed to cross the line first in 9.84 seconds, with Bolt running 9.97 seconds.

This race showed that even though Bolt seemed far beyond reach, on that particular day, he was beatable.

It was later reported that Bolt was dealing with back issues at the time, which affected his performance.

Yohan Blake in Jamaican Trials (2012)

Before the 2012 London Olympics, Bolt lost to his training partner Yohan Blake in both the 100 meters and 200 meters at the Jamaican national trials.

Blake clocked 9.75 seconds in the 100 meters against Bolt’s 9.86 seconds, and in the 200 meters, Blake again took first with 19.80 seconds to Bolt’s 19.83 seconds.

While national trials usually serve as a gauge of form, Bolt turned it around at the Olympics, winning gold in both the 100 meters and 200 meters events a few weeks later.

Justin Gatlin in Rome (2013)

In 2013, American sprinter Justin Gatlin defeated Bolt in a 100 meters race at the Golden Gala meet in Rome.

Gatlin ran 9.94 seconds, with Bolt clocking 9.95 seconds. Although this was not a championship event, it was still a noteworthy loss, reminding everyone that top-level sprinting can hinge on very fine margins.

The 2017 World Championships (London)

Bolt’s final major championship appearance came at the 2017 World Championships in London.

Despite his legendary status, he placed third in the 100 meters behind Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman.

Gatlin’s time was 9.92 seconds, Coleman’s 9.94 seconds, and Bolt’s 9.95 seconds. Many fans had hoped Bolt would leave the sport with one more gold, but he was clearly not at his best.

In the 4×100 meters relay final, Bolt pulled up with a leg injury and could not finish the race.

Who is Faster Than Usain Bolt?

Despite Usain Bolt’s retirement, he remains the fastest person in recorded history.

He holds the world record for both the 100m and 200m races with times of 9.58s and 19.19s, respectively. While other sprinters have come close to these numbers, none have broken them yet.

The sprinter with the best chance of breaking Bolt’s records is Erriyon Knighton, an American sprinter who currently holds the U20 World Record in the 200m with a time of 19.94 seconds.

Knighton is only 19 years old and has already shown impressive speed. He could break Bolt’s record in the next few years if he continues to train and compete at his current level.

What Shoes Did He Wear?

Usain Bolt has always been d with Puma, and he wears the brand’s running shoes for all of his races.

His favourite model is the Puma evoSPEED Electric; Soft, its microfiber and suede lining minimises irritation and allows for barefoot use.

This shoe was specifically designed for sprinters, providing the perfect combination of speed and stability for Bolt as he sprints. Usain wore a size 13, which is the largest size available in this shoe.

How Much Is Usain Bolt Worth?

Usain Bolt’s net worth has been estimated to be around $90 million, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in history.

The bulk of his income comes from endorsements and sponsorships with various companies, including Puma and Gatorade. He also makes money from appearance fees at events and investments.

When Did Usain Bolt Retire?

Usain Bolt announced his retirement from professional athletics after the 2017 World Championships.

At that meet, his final races did not go as planned. He walked away with a bronze medal in the 100 meters and did not finish the 4×100 meters relay. Still, this did not tarnish his legacy.

Once he stepped away from the track, Bolt explored other interests. One of his well-known post-track moves was his attempt to pursue a soccer career.

He trained with several clubs, including Borussia Dortmund in , and then ed the Australian club Central Coast Mariners on trial in 2018.

While he did score two goals in a friendly match, a contract agreement did not materialise in the end.

Despite not breaking into professional soccer, Bolt’s athletic background and fame garnered attention wherever he went.

He has taken part in charity soccer matches and continues to sports-based outreach programs.

Even though his soccer stint was short, the attempt showed his desire to remain active and try new challenges after track.

What is Usain Bolt doing now?

Bolt has also focused on business ventures. He has been a brand ambassador for companies like Puma for many years.

In fact, his partnership with Puma dates back to his early track days, and it is one of the most enduring athlete-sponsor relationships in sports.

Beyond shoe endorsements, Bolt has built his brand through other commercial partnerships.

He launched a line of electric scooters called “Bolt Mobility,” though the scope and operations have changed over time.

Additionally, he has invested in restaurants and other ventures within Jamaica.

His business interests aim to extend beyond just sprinting highlights, though fans still recognise him primarily as the fastest man alive.

He also made efforts in the music industry by producing and releasing a few songs, partnering with close friends.

While these tracks did not top major charts, they gave Bolt a chance to showcase another side of himself.