Featured Image Credit: Guinness World Record
Topics: Usain Bolt, Athletics
Josh Lawless
Usain Bolt might just be sweating a little over his world record 100m time after recent events.
This weekend, British sprinter Zharnel Hughes became the fastest man in the world this year when he won his race in New York with an impressive time of 9.83 seconds.
The 27-year-old, who has the same coach who helped Bolt win eight Olympic Gold medals, produced the second-fastest time ever recorded by a European and beat Linford Christie's 30-year 100m record by 0.04 seconds.
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Hughes, who manifested his time beforehand, will look to do even better in the world championships in Budapest in August.
But another contender for Bolt's throne has emerged. The Jamaican sprinter's 100m time of 9.58, achieved at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when he finished ahead of Tyson Gay and compatriot Asafa Powell, remains the fastest anyone has ever ran the distance.
However, there is a new world record for the fastest 100m time recorded while running in black high heels.
Christian Roberto Lopez Rodriguez, 34, decided to give it a bash and darted down the tarmac in an impressive 12.82 seconds.
Instead of wearing spikes, Rodriguez did it wearing arguably the most unsuitable choice of footwear for sprinting.
The achievement was officially verified by the Guinness World Records, who posted a video of Rodriguez smashing his attempt.
He had to wear stilettos that were at least 7 cm (2.76 in) high and no more than 1.5 cm (0.59 in) wide at the tip.
The previous record was held by German Andre Ortolf, who did it in 14.02 seconds. With Rodriguez demonstrating such speed in heels, one would love to know how quick he could be with the advised footwear.
Incredibly, the Spaniard, who suffers from type 1 diabetes, has a ridiculous 57 records to his name - many of which involving running 100m with a twist.
He's done it wearing clogs, while blindfolded, in a sack, backwards and even balancing a guitar on a finger.
The preparation was very exhaustive and specific,” Christian said on his record, as per the Guinness World Record site.
“I find it very challenging to be able to run in high heels at high speed. In Spain there are races like this, and they have always gone well for me."