This Video Is a Reminder Just How Damn Fast Usain Bolt Really Is

The Jamaican legend showed us what speed really looks like at the 2015 World Championships.

It’s not often that Usain Bolt steps into the blocks as an underdog, but it happened on Sunday.

Justin Gatlin was the smart pick in the 100 meter final at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. The 33-year-old American was coming off 28 straight wins, including the last time he and Bolt ran against each other. And Jamaican legend Bolt, returning from a pelvic injury, had a shaky semi-final that saw him stumble out of the blocks and barely make it into the final.

After the starting gun, it looked as if form would hold too. Gatlin surged out to a lead and seemed poised to post another blazing time. But then he stumbled. It was a subtle stumble, but enough to slow him down. Bolt keep flying and hit the finish line with 9.79 seconds on the clock. Gatlin’s time was 9.8 seconds.

This was a big win for Bolt, who’s watched Gatlin dominate the field as he’s dealt with the pelvis injury and a run of poor form. Now Bolt looks ahead to the Olympics, where he’ll try to win the 100 meter gold for the third time in a row. Of course, Gatlin, who won the gold in 2002, will likely be there waiting for him. And next time, the American might not stumble.

Photos by ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images

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