On this day 16 August 2009 (Exactly 11 years ago today) Usain Bolt of Jamaica edged American Tyson Gay to win 100m in world record 9.58s at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin. This feat was achieved exactly a year after setting the previous record in Beijing.
The final, which was advertised in Berlin as “Das Duell” between Gay and Bolt, proved to be historic. By the 20-metre mark, Bolt had already taken a slight lead of 0.01 seconds, and he continued to pull away from the rest of the pack until the finish.
He finished in a world record-breaking time of 9.58 seconds, beating Gay by some distance, even though the American had run 9.71 seconds, which was the third fastest time ever.
Bolt beat his own previous mark by over a tenth of a second, an achievement statisticians claimed was 20 years ahead of schedule in the long term scheme of the 100 metres world record progression.
So emphatic was Bolt’s winning time, that both bronze medal winner Asafa Powell and sixth placed Dwain Chambers said they were happy just taking part in the fastest race in history.
I was feeling good after the semis. I knew it was going to be a great race and I executed it,” Bolt said. “It’s a great time, a great feeling, I feel good in myself and I knew I could do it.
“There was a big build up, great atmosphere. It wasn’t going to be an easy race but I had a perfect start and just went from there.
“I came out here to do my best and I did what I had to do. There’ll be no partying for me ahead of Tuesday. I’ll rest up as always, I need to rest up for the 200m.”
Elsewhere;
On this day 16 August 2008 (Exactly 12 years ago today) Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt set new world record of 9.69 seconds to win the coveted 100m gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
Bolt’s compatriot Michael Frater got the best start, along with Richard Thompson and Darvis Patton. 30 metres into the race, Bolt was into his full running position and had pulled even with the leader, Thompson.
By the next 20 metres, Bolt was simply pulling away, with Thompson breaking up a Jamaican sweep of Frater and Asafa Powell. 20 metres before the finish, already with a 3-metre lead, Bolt held out his arms in celebration.
Behind him, Walter Dix and Churandy Martina were making a late rush to pick off Frater and Powell. Turning to look back at his vanquished competition, Bolt crossed the finish line sideways, still with the “showboating” and lack of form, his time was a new world record, 9.69. Thompson later said “I could see him slowing down ahead as I was still pumping away”.
On this day 16 August 1997 (Exactly 23 years ago today) The Bafana Bafana of South Africa qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time with a 1-0 victory over Congo at First National Bank stadium in Johannesburg.
Philemon Masinga scored South Africa’s solitary goal. The South African team was under the tutelage of Clive “The Dog” Barker as head coach and Neil “Mokoko” Tovey as captain.
Match Summary
16th August 1997 (World Cup Qualifying – Africa, Group 3)
SOUTH AFRICA – CONGO 1-0
Referee: Charles Masembe (Uganda)
Attendance : 90.000
Venur:First National Bank Stadium, Johannesburg
Goal: 1-0 Masinga (14)
South Africa :Andre Arendse, Sizwe Motaung, Mark Fish, Neil Tovey, Lucas Radebe, Eric Tinkler, John Moshoeu , Theophilus Khumalo, Helman Mkhalele (John Moeti), Shaun Bartlett ( Mark Williams),Philemon Masinga ( Brendan Augustine )
Coach: Clive Barker
Congo:Christian Samba – Brice Mokossi (Roch Embingou 46), Lucien Ibarra Fils, Roland Buitys,Florent Baloki Samba, Elie Malonga, Jean Sylvestre Nkeoua, Eric Bantsimba, Rolf Nguie Mien, (Olivier Niere 76), Macchambes Younga Mouhani, Richard Akiana (Charles Imboula 66).
Coach: David Memy
On this day day 16 August 2003 (Exactly 17 years ago today) Cristiano Ronaldo (18) made his debut for Manchester United and the Premier League in a 4–0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers, receiving a standing ovation when he came on as a 60th-minute substitute for Nicky Butt.
On this day 16 August 2004 (Exactly 16 years ago today) Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe won the men’s 200m freestyle in Olympic record 1:44.71, giving him the 200/400m freestyle double at the Athens Olympics.
On this day 16 August 2008 (Exactly 12 years ago today) British swimmer Rebecca Adlington wrap up the 400/800m freestyle double at the Beijing Olympics with a world record 8:14.10 in the 800.
On this day 16 August 2008 (Exactly 12 years ago today) British cyclist Bradley Wiggins became the first rider ever to successfully defend his Olympic title in the individual pursuit when he takes gold at the Beijing Olympics.
On this day 16 August 2008 (Exactly 12 years ago today) American swimmer Michael Phelps won his 7th of 8 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics when he took the 100m butterfly in Olympic record 50.58; beat Milorad Čavić of Serbia by 0.01.
On this day 16 August 2008 (Exactly 12 years ago today) Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe swum a world record 2:05.24 to beat American Margaret Hoelzer by 1.01 and win the 200m backstroke at the Beijing Olympics.
On this day 16 August 2016 (Exactly 3 years ago today) Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze set a world record of 473 total kilograms to win the men’s +105kg gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics
On this day 16 August 2016 (Exactly 4 years ago today) Croatian discus thrower Sandra Perković retained her Olympic title with a distance of 69.21m at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
By: George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
