Tokyo Olympics: Top 5 fastest runners in men’s 100m
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The upcoming Tokyo Olympics in July will set the stage for the world’s greatest sporting clashes. 100m sprint has been one of the most highly anticipated and watched events in the Olympic Games. The event has seen the sensational rise of young stars and experienced veterans produce their best performances. Men’s edition of the sprint this year will be particularly exciting.
Legendary Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, held an undisputed dominance over 100m over the span of three Olympic Games. The upcoming Tokyo Olympics will be the first Games after his retirement from track and field in 2017. It will be in Tokyo Olympics that a new sprint star will be crowned with the ultimate sporting glory. Fans all over the world will be curious and ecstatic to see a new leader in the event.
Here’s the Top 5 fastest male 100m sprinters who will compete in Tokyo Olympics
5. Lamont Marcell Jacobs
Along with sprinting, Italian athlete, Lamont Marcell Jacobs initially specialised in the long jump as well. However, due to nagging knee injuries, he had to switch to full-time sprinting.
His decision to switch bore him brilliant results as he won the gold medal at the 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships with an incredible mark of 6.47 seconds. Currently ranked 11th in 100m, he closed his indoor season leading in 60m. The 4x100m World Relay silver medallist started his outdoor season on 13th May by clocking 9.95 seconds in 100m in Savona, Italy. His incredible performance created a new national record.
The 26-year-old will be a force to reckon with in Tokyo as he is set to produce his best performance yet.
4. Tlotliso Leotlela
South African sprinter, Tlotliso Leotlela has set the stage to make his mark in the Olympics. The young gun competed in the Rio Olympics in 200m event. However, his timing of 20.59 seconds in the heats did not make the cut to reach the semi-finals.
Other than the glorious honour of being an Olympian, Tlotlela was the double sprint champion at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Apia. Even though the African Youth Championships double sprint winner is currently ranked 40th in 100m, his timing of 9.94 seconds given in May has put him straight in the league of the fastest sprinters in the world. The 23-year-old will be coming to Tokyo with a fresh gold medal in the 4x100m in World Relays shining to his merit.
Leotlela will definitely be the sprinter to watch out for in Tokyo Olympics as he will surely give his competitors a run for their money.
3. Fred Kerley
USA sprinter, Fred Kerley has bagged a tremendous amount of merits to his name in the 400m. He is the 8th fastest man in history in the event. However, since 2021 he has been focused more on the shorter distances, 100m and 200m.
He improved his personal best in 100m from 10.49 seconds to 9.86 seconds to qualify for Tokyo Olympics. He gave his best at the recently concluded US Olympic Trials in Oregon. Although currently ranked 20th in 100m, his timing is one of the fastest this season.
With his performances this year, Kerley looks well on his way to help create an American clean sweep in the 100m at Tokyo Olympics.
2. Ronnie Baker
USA sprinter, Ronnie Baker has had an exceptional run over the 60m distance. The former NCAA champion’s timing of 6.40 seconds made him the third-fastest man in history in the event. His merit in the 100m is equally enviable.
Baker ran a wind-assisted 9.78 seconds in Oregon. However, due to the 2.4/m wind measure, his timing couldn’t be considered legal. He qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by giving his personal best of 9.85 seconds at US Olympic Trials in Oregon.
Currently ranked 9th, the 27-year-old is looking forward to putting on his best show in Tokyo. He will be a tough one to beat at the Games.
1. Trayvon Bromell
2015 Beijing World Championships bronze medallist, Trayvon Bromell of the USA is the top contender to take away the 100m gold in Tokyo. In a list of his honours, he was the first junior to break the 10-second barrier in 100m with 9.97 seconds. His world junior record still stands.
The 25-year-old has had a consistent bout of injuries in his career that left him on the sideline for considerable amounts of time. But the sensational rising star has always triumphed over every adversity that came his way. He is currently ranked 6th in the event. With Usain Bolt retired and his own countryman Justin Gatlin failing to qualify, Bromell has a clear path to the Olympic podium. With his personal best of 9.77 seconds in the 100m, he is the 7th fastest man of all time.
The Rio finalist is a medal favourite in the Tokyo Olympics. So much so that even Usain Bolt himself has put his money behind him. Bromell is definitely one of the most promising contenders in the men’s 100m line-up in Tokyo but he has his work cut out for him in the form of some really tough competition.
With a spot for the new men’s 100m Olympic champion open, it will be interesting to see who will win the contest that is sure to be cut-throat.
Also Read: Tokyo Olympics: Top 5 fastest runners in women’s 100m
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Ira Deokule
(181 Articles Published)