Usain Bolt Reveals the Only Man Who Could Have Beaten Him at His Peak
Usain Bolt remains the fastest sprinter in history, holding world records in both the 100m and 200m sprints. However, he once admitted that there was one athlete he believed had the potential to beat him during his prime.
The electrifying Jamaican dominated track and field, winning multiple Olympic gold medals and rewriting history books. Though it seems almost unimaginable that anyone could have bested him, Bolt himself acknowledged that one of his fiercest rivals might have been capable—his compatriot, Asafa Powell.
Bolt’s Toughest Rival?
According to Bolt, Powell was the one sprinter who genuinely “scared” him.
Before Bolt’s rise, Powell held the 100m world record with a time of 9.74 seconds in 2007. However, Bolt soon surpassed him, first with a 9.72-second run and later setting the legendary 9.58-second record at the 2009 World Championships—still unbeaten today.
Usain Bolt’s Olympic Triumphs
| Olympics | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Beijing | 100m | Gold |
| 2008 Beijing | 200m | Gold |
| 2012 London | 100m | Gold |
| 2012 London | 200m | Gold |
| 2012 London | 4x100m Relay | Gold |
| 2016 Rio | 100m | Gold |
| 2016 Rio | 200m | Gold |
| 2016 Rio | 4x100m Relay | Gold |
In a 2011 interview with The Guardian, Powell shared details of a candid moment between him and Bolt. According to Powell, Bolt admitted, “I think in the entire world, you’re the only person who has always scared me.” He revealed that Bolt often repeated this sentiment, especially after a few drinks.
Powell recalled, “He first told me that in 2008, just before the Olympics. He’d just run 9.72 and said: ‘You’re the only man in the world who I think can beat me.’ In my head, I thought, ‘I know that,’ but I have great respect for him, and he has great respect for me as well.”
Olympic Misfortune
Despite his talent, Powell never secured an individual Olympic medal.
Although he claimed multiple medals in the World Championships and other major events, Powell’s Olympic dreams never fully materialized. A mix of injuries and underwhelming performances in finals kept him from standing atop the podium alone. He did, however, contribute to Jamaica’s 4x100m relay wins in 2008 and 2016, though the 2008 victory was later nullified due to a teammate’s doping violation.
While Powell may not have had the Olympic success of Bolt, he holds a unique honor—being recognized by the fastest man in history as the one athlete who could have beaten him. That acknowledgment alone is a testament to his greatness.
