While talking about his successful track and field career in a newly released interview, Usain Bolt says at times when he watches track and field he misses the “competition”, he also talked about being in such “great shape” when he ran 9.69 in 2008, that he could have even gone faster had he not break his stride to celebrate, by beating his chest.
“That was the fittest i ever been… i have no issues that season,” Bolt says that he was in such very good shape that his coach gave him days off. Bolt recalled not seeing his main competitor, Asafa Powell in the 2008 race after 55m, which caused him to start to celebrate before the finish line.
Bolt went on to set the current 100m world record of 9.58 seconds in 2009. In the interview that was released on July 18 by The Obi One Podcast, he details that he believes that the 100m record will stand longer than the 200m record.
According to Bolt, he wanted to “run under 19 seconds” for the 200m, he went on to say “i think i would be 9.4, something, i personally think so,” with regards to the 100m possibilities. Bolt believes he could have even gone faster in both disatnces had he not gotten into an accident, “If i had stayed fit and had no problem.”
In particular, Bolt name-dropped American sprinter Noah Lyles, saying he wished he could compete with the outspoken sprinter to ‘cool him down’. “I live for competitions that’s something i love,” Bolt says before recalling when he ran in none-competitive races due to injuries to other big names it “wasn’t fun” for him.
Bolt also talked about the importance of his former coach Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club, highlighting that he always picked up on minor details, like telling him to keep his hands closer to his body for a faster start, which worked “It corrected everything” states Bolt.
Another important thing he learnt from Mills was shortening his strides, another adjustment that worked. According to Bolt, in Mills’ eyes, he never had a perfect race, there is always a fault and something that needs improvement “I’ve never gotten a perfect race” says Bolt.
Bolt reveals that one of his bad habits was the fact that he always looks around while racing.
The legendary Jamaican sprinter is yet to see another athlete who he believes can break either of his records. He also revealed that the 200m is his favourite out of the two distances to run.
Watch the interview below:
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