'I was not even going for the record'- Usain Bolt reveals how sprint rival Tyson Gay inspired his first 100m world record

Jamaican sprinting legend Usain has credited his fierce rivalry with American sprinter Tyson as a key motivator in his journey to setting his first 100m world record

historic feat unfolded at the New York Grand Prix in June 2008, where he clocked an astonishing 9.72 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 9.74 seconds set by fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell

The showdown between Bolt and Gay was highly anticipated, with Bolt seeking to establish himself as a serious contender ahead of the Beijing Summer Olympics later that year

At the time, Tyson Gay was the reigning world champion and widely regarded as one of the fastest men on the planet

Kenny Bednarek has revealed the attribute Usain Bolt mastered during his racing days he needs to add to his sprinting in order to get to the next level.

Reliving the moment in a conversation withafter the race Bolt revealed how crucial his start was in determining the outcome

«I knew if I could beat Tyson out of the blocks, I could win the race,» he said. A false start in the initial attempt only heightened the intensity, giving both sprinters a chance to refine their starts for the second run

Bolt’s electrifying performance not only secured victory but also marked his first 100m world record, an achievement he initially hadn’t been aiming for

«If I’m actually going for it, you can tell. the first two times when I broke the record, I wasn’t going for it,» Bolt explained in a recent episode of .

Reflecting on his mindset that day, Bolt said, «In New York, it was the first time I was going to compete with Tyson over 100 meters. All I wanted to do was beat him and prove that I was better. When I won, I ran all the way around the track. It was when I almost made it back around that the announcer said I had broken the record, that’s when I realized.»

Bolt’s groundbreaking run in New York was a precursor to his record-shattering performances later that year at the Beijing Olympics. There, he set new world records in both the 100m clocking 9.69 seconds and 200m with a time of 19.31 seconds

Bolt's 100m win at the 2008 Olympics was hard to believe and breaking the record would definitely raised some questions

The rivalry with Gay and the pressure of that race not only propelled Bolt into the record books but also signaled the dawn of a new era in sprinting, with Bolt’s dominance redefining the sport for years to come

His stardom rose to new heights as the year culminated with Bolt’s fame across the globe becoming what it is today.