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The fastest man to ever live, Usain Bolt has disclosed why his Junior World Championship in 2002 holds a dear place in his heart despite his numerous titles and world records
The world's fastest man ever, Usain Bolt recently revealed a surprising highlight in his decorated career.
Despite a storied journey filled with record-breaking performances and Olympic golds, Bolt considers his win at the 2002 Junior World Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, his proudest moment.
Though Bolt’s legacy is defined by his record-shattering sprints, like his 100m world record of 9.58 seconds set in Berlin in 2009, he reflects on this early triumph in his career as a defining milestone.
In an age when athletes often cite major championships or record-breaking runs as career pinnacles, Bolt’s sentimental choice stands out.
Bolt’s career, often hailed as legendary, boasts multiple records and honors.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he stunned the world by completing the 100m in 9.69 seconds, breaking the world record, only to surpass himself the following year.
His dominance extended to the 200m as well, with a record-setting 19.19 seconds at the Berlin 2009 World Championships.
With eight Olympic gold medals across three consecutive games in 2008, 2012, and 2016 and a collection of 11 World Championship golds, Bolt has cemented himself as an icon in global athletics.
Yet, it was his early success on home soil that resonated most deeply with him.
The 2002 Junior World Championship marked a pivotal moment, where Bolt, at just 15 years old, clinched gold before a passionate home crowd in Kingston, Jamaica.
“One of my greatest moments that I love is it was the first time I won in front of my home crowd. I think that made such a big impact on my life and helped me to overcome so much," said Bolt on the High Performance podcast.
He recalled the intense nerves he felt as a teenager, remarking on the gravity of competing in front of a supportive yet expectant crowd.
“I was so nervous. That’s the one time I had like nerves to the point where I’m shaking, you know what I mean? I put the wrong shoe on the wrong foot because I couldn’t focus. I was just so stressed.”
Despite the nerves, that victory became a personal benchmark, a confidence booster that shaped the trajectory of his career.
“I said to myself, if I can win in front of my home crowd that nervous, that really set the benchmark for me through my years to be better,” Bolt explained.
“Winning in front of my home crowd was one of my proudest moments and one of my biggest moments. That really helped me to navigate the world and to really get better through all of it.”
For Bolt, that moment in Kingston was a foundational experience that steeled him against future pressures and propelled him to the global phenomenon he is today.
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