Sports Analysis and Records with Brij Parasnath
NOTHING is guaranteed in sports but there are some sports personalities who have demonstrated that they are at the very top of the chosen specialty, even if they have lost their pre-eminence due to injury, lack of form or involved in emotionally draining pursuits that require self-healing and re-dedication to tough work ethic to regain the best form to repel all-comers at any given notice.
Jamaica’s triple world record holder Usain Bolt is a case in point of not being in real top shape to challenge the clock and appease his millions of admirers across the global landscape.
Being crowned the world’s fastest human being with a 9.58secs timing in the 100 metres at the 2009 Berlin World Championships, Bolt surpassed his previous best and new world record 100-metre dash during the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games.
Bolt thumped his chest and cruised home in a sensational 9.69secs which obliterated his own previous world record as well as the Olympics record.
His “I am the Best Celebration” was too much for some former top athletes who themselves were guilty of showboating whenever they raced during their careers, which is not as glorious and history-making as the affable Jamaican.
Unquestionably, the Olympics 100 metres final is the blue riband of the Games and to be hailed as the fastest runner on the planet and of all-time was something special for Bolt who himself on reflection might not react differently to his amazing speed and distance in front of the other contenders for Olympics glory on the Bird’s Nest track.
Although, he bettered the times at the Berlin World Championships the year after, the dominant manner in which he left his rivals struggling for the minor placings will forever be etched in the memories of those who witnessed the unfolding of the amazingly unbelievable scenes at the Stadium.
It was a sight to behold for those inside the Chinese National Stadium and the countless millions following the dramatic sprint for eternal glory on the television sets, as the Jamaican also completed the unique sprint double by winning the 200 metres at Beijing Olympics in new world record time of 19.30 secs
His legendary fame magnified when he repeated the double at the 2009 Berlin World Championships with new world’s best times in both the 100 and 200 (19.19 secs).
Together with fellow Jamaicans Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell; Bolt achieved a phenomenal three world records when their sprint relay (4×100) team captured Olympics gold and they also repeated the relay world record feat at the Berlin WC the following year.
During the year 2011, Bolt suffered a major setback when he false-started at the Daegu World Championships and lost his coveted sprint title to fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake.
It was a seismic shock tragedy to see him walk back forlornly, much to his own disappointment and bewilderment and those of his ardent followers. It was a shocking disappointment and probably too much to bear.
He had to endure much and spent a lot of time healing himself for competitive pursuits in 2012. It was a big wake-up call for the world’s fastest human, as he found out the hard way and he showed that no one, even the greatest, can take anything for granted.
On the other hand, he had to watch his younger compatriot Blake, who had returned to competitive athletics after serving a short six-month ban from a confirmed positive test for a substance, similar to one on the WADA prohibitive list, in his system; race to glory and being crowned world champion sprinter.
With Blake being the new 100-metre champion and his ability to post fast times in both the 100 and 200 metres, many keen followers of the sport wanted to know how well Bolt’s 2012 training was progressing and the type of form he has leading up to the major outings on the track during his build-up to retain the title as the ‘Fastest Human Being’ at the 2012 London Olympics.
Bolt’s first race on the European circuit was like a damp squib and not encouraging. He was bewildered at the very slow time of 10.05 secs, which is far below his usually high standard set since 2008.
Fortunately, he made the correct assessment about his physical and mental conditions and the actual race itself in Ostrava, Belgium where the conditions were freezing and not conducive to fast times and after posting his slowest 100-metre time (10.05); many observers were not convinced that Bolt will be ready to successfully defend his titles at the London Olympics.
There were lots of discussion and speculation that his lifestyle might have caused him to lose his drive and focus to do everything required to maintain his supremacy.
Like his build-up for the 2008 Olympics, the super-athlete dispelled all doubts and sent a strong signal to his rivals that they would have to produce something extraordinary to beat him for the coveted gold in London.
Despite a slow start at the Rome Grand Prix meet on Thursday, May 31; Bolt blazed the track for a new meet and track record when he stopped the clock at 9.76 secs, which becomes the fastest 100-metre time for the year.
And then to show that his time at the Roma Grand Prix was no fluke, the lanky Jamaican registered another fast time of 9.79secs at the Bislett Track on Thursday last.
His Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell, holder the world record for the most sub-10 100-metre timings; almost created a major flutter and setback for Bolt whom he had beaten only once in ten head-to-head clashes prior to the Bislett clash.
Imagine that some world class sprinters are struggling to dip under 10.00 secs flat but Powell has registered 77 sub-10 timings during his career. For the Bislett 100-metre race, Powell was out of the blocks at lightning speed and seemed on his way to create another major upset on his more famous countryman and to record his second victory.
When the going gets tough, real champions produce something more to accomplish their goals. Digging deep down and finding another gear in his overdrive phase, Bolt pumped his arms and stretched his long legs to power past Powell and maintained his sprinting supremacy with a another extraordinary fast timing that gives him the three fastest times for the 2012 season.
Based on those remarkable fast times, Bolt is gradually getting into top shape which is an ominous sign as he seemed determined to improve both his current world records in the 100 and 200 metres at the London Olympics. For now, he has regained his confidence and lustre as the world’s top sprinter. His mind will be at ease and he will be more relaxed as he prepares for the upcoming battles.
However, he first has to qualify at the Jamaican AAA senior championships before being selected on the Jamaican Olympics team to be in with a chance to create more sensation and history. Although he is the world’s record holder and has been in supreme running form, he has no special privileges or an automatic selection on the team.
He has to beat out strong competition from Powell, Blake, Frater, Carter and a host of other rising stars to clinch one of three Jamaican entrant spots for the qualifying heats in London.
Currently, his exit from the blocks is not smooth and he looks cramped at the set position. He needs to adjust his starting blocks for a much smoother exit and faster acceleration into the drive phase. Once he gets it right, the 6’5’’-tall Bolt will destroy the opposition and set new standards in world sprinting.
For the coming weekend, Bolt faces the most formidable test before the London Olympics during the Jamaica senior championships when he races against compatriots Blake (9.84 secs) and Powell (9.85 secs) who registered the second and third fastest times for the year.
Blake, who is the current reigning world champion and Powell, will be seeking to prove their class and battle with Bolt for the individual pride of place and to be crowned Jamaica’s national champion, hence the blue riband 100-metre promises to be a scorching affair, but I am still convinced that Bolt will prevail over his other famous compatriots.