1. USAIN BOLT
For showing up even at a time when naysayers had ruled him out of the game, Usain Bolt takes the No.1 spot on our list of Top 6 Sprinters in 2015. The Jamaican legend not only showed up, but proved that he is the world’s best EVER sprinter by retaining every single title he won in 2013, taking his count of world titles to a mouthwatering eleven medals.
It’s no secret that the 2015 season wasn’t one of Bolt’s best years. Plagued by injury in 2014, the multiple World Record (WR) holder had to end the season early in order to prepare for the World Championships in 2015. He struggled with his fitness levels this year and didn’t seem to be in form to challenge Gatlin who had taken over the top spot in the 100m/200m.
Bolt clocked 10.12s in his first outdoor race and struggled to go under 10s for the better part of the season. With barely a month to go before the World Championships, he finally got a reprieve at the London DL where he clocked an SB of 9.87s to win the event. His performance in the 200m wasn’t as heartwarming as he failed to run under 20s before the Beijing Championships, posting 20.13s at the Ostrava Meeting, and 20.29s in New York.
Many expected the multiple Olympic medallist to pull out of the worlds since it was apparent that he wasn’t yet at his best. However Bolt disclosed that his coach had passed a vote of confidence in him, and proceeded to Beijing to prove his doubters wrong. He won his heat but was almost beaten in the semis as he stumbled and almost ended the race prematurely. Nevertheless the champion in him ensured that he completed the race in 9.96s.
The world waited for the showdown between Bolt and his No.1 opponent, and Gatlin began on a good footing as he took the lead in the initial moments of the race. However, as the Jamaican began to gain more ground, the world No.1 panicked with less than 20m to go, handing Bolt the advantage as he sailed to victory with an SB of 9.79s.
The American was no match for him in the 200m as Bolt once again dominated the race with a WL and SB of 19.55s. He then anchored the 4x100m team to another GOLD medal with a WL of 37.36s, cementing his status as a championship athlete who performs when it matters most. We are eager to see if Bolt will extend this dominance to next year’s Rio Olympics, which will be his lasting outing at the Games.
