Is the world's fastest man the fastest man in history? This article gives a comprehensive guide to explaining the title on the fastest men in the world.
There are many misunderstandings on giving a specific answer to this question, who is the fastest man in the world?
These misunderstandings originate from differentiating between the world's fastest man, the fastest man in history, the fastest time in the world, and the fastest men in history.
While it's known that Usain Bolt is still the fastest man in history, the Jamaican isn't currently the world's fastest man. In clarifying this, Bolt has the fastest times by any sprinter in history as the World Record (WR) holder, while the world's fastest man is crowned by whoever wins the world title in a given year.
![Usain remains the fastest man in history](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/11042023/cc2fb64b-d161-439e-81ba-0b31152e241f.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
For more understanding, here's a comprehensive guide on the title - Who is the fastest man in the world?
Bolt remains the fastest man in history
The Jamaican became the fastest man in history when he improved on his 100m WR time of 9.69s from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, with a massive 9.58s at the Berlin 2009 World Championships – the biggest improvement since the start of electronic timing.
Bolt also broke the 200m WR on consecutive occasions, smashing his 19.30s from Beijing Olympics with a jaw-dropping 19.19s in Berlin. In addition, he has helped Jamaica to three 4x100m relay WRs, with the current record being 36.84 seconds set at London 2012 Olympic Games.
As the fastest human in history to run these times, Bolt remains the fastest man in history.
Fred Kerley is the world's fastest man
The world's fastest man is any runner that wins the 100m title at the World Athletics senior championships in the reigning year.
![Fred Kerley is the world's fastest man](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/11042023/cb881d3a-afe5-47ab-80b9-70d9400a4c4c.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Fred Kerley inspired an American clean sweep in the men's 100m final at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
He won his maiden individual World Championship gold medal, pipping his compatriot Marvin Bracy on the line with a time of 9.86s to win the world title and become the world's fastest man. Trayvon Bromell finished third, completing the clean sweep.
Fastest time in the world (2023)
The fastest time in the world changes almost at each meeting, and the final time is only finalized at the end of the season.
![Nigeria may be losing its position as 'African giant' in the men's 100m](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/28022023/53868504-1d1f-457e-b3b0-398ea4afa705.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
01:47 - 28.02.2023
ATHLETICS Nigeria may be losing its position as 'African giant' in the men's 100m
With the recent success of Ferdinand Omanyala and Akani Simbine through the years, this question surfaces - is Nigeria losing its claim to the title of being called 'African giant' in the men's 100m?
Currently, South Africa's Akani Simbine owns the fastest time in the world, with his 9.92s recorded in his semifinal race at the South African Championships on March 30th, 2023.
![Akani Simbine records 2023 fastest time in the world](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/27022023/241344c9-9249-4e72-89ef-6d1f80ae7c01.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
While in the 200m, Christain Coleman's time of 20.00s set on April 8th is currently the fastest in the world in the event.
Top 10 fastest men in history
The fastest men in history are the fastest times ever recorded in the men's 100m.
Here's a list of the top 10 fastest men in history and their times, having Bolt sitting in the top spot as the WR holder.
- Usain Bolt (Jamaica) - 9.58s
- Tyson Gay (USA) - 9.69s
- Yohan Blake (Jamaica) - 9.69s
- Asafa Powell (Jamaica) - 9.72s
- Justin Gatlin (USA) - 9.74s
- Christian Coleman (USA) - 9.76s
- Trayvon Bromell (USA) - 9.76s
- Fred Kerley (USA) - 9.76s
- Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya) - 9.77s
- Nester Caster (Jamaica) - 9.78s
!['I want to become the 2023 World and Diamond League 100m Champion' - Ferdinand Omanyala](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/09022023/31487399-ef16-4c8a-b057-ac0d18d6c845.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
18:18 - 09.02.2023
ATHLETICS 'I want to become the 2023 World and Diamond League 100m Champion' - Ferdinand Omanyala
Kenya's track star, Ferdinand Omanyala has got big goals for the 2023 season, which includes winning the World and Diamond League titles.
Jacobs is the fastest man at the Olympics
![Olympic Champion Marcell Jacobs signs with Puma](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/02022023/b7aef3e6-0be8-4c67-8a41-caac3106c073.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
19:29 - 02.02.2023
Olympic Champion Marcell Jacobs signs with Puma
Olympic and European Champion, Marcell Jacobs has left Nike and joined PUMA family.
The fastest man at the Olympic Games is whoever wins the men's 100m final at the preceding Olympic Games.
Marcell Jacobs is the Olympic Champion and the fastest man at the Olympics. He won the Olympic title with a time of 9.80s, beating Fred Kerley (9.84s) and Andre De Grasse (9.89s).
![Marcell Jacobs is the fastest man at the Olympics](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/02022023/15a607d3-e018-4113-a324-860bc431807a.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Jacobs is the first Italian to win the gold medal in the event, and the first European to win since Linford Christie won the event at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Due to this performance, Jacobs is tied with Steve Mullings as the twelfth fastest man in history.