For sixteen years, Usain Bolt’s 100m world record of 9.58 seconds has stood as one of the most iconic achievements in human athletic history. No sprinter has come close to matching the Jamaican legend’s blistering pace since the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. But on August 22, 2026, the record finally fell—not to a human, but to a robot.
At the second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, a Chinese humanoid robot named Tiangong Ultra clocked an astonishing 9.39 seconds, shattering Bolt’s mark by 19 hundredths of a second. What’s more, it wasn’t even the fastest robot on the day.
How It Happened
Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Humanoid Robotics, won its preliminary heat with a time of 9.39 seconds. But just moments later, a second robot called Lightning—created by Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honour—finished in 9.47 seconds, also faster than Bolt’s record.
However, the most remarkable claim came from Honour itself: the company stated that Lightning had achieved a test run time of 9.32 seconds ahead of the competition, 0.26 seconds quicker than Bolt’s legendary sprint. The robot reportedly reached a peak speed of 14.5 metres per second during that test.
The dramatic progress was starkly evident. Just one year ago, at the inaugural games, Tiangong Ultra won the 100m with a sluggish time of 21.50 seconds. Its improvement of over 56% in 12 months represents a staggering leap in humanoid robotics.
The Race and Its Challenges
The race itself had its share of mechanical drama. Unlike Bolt’s signature celebratory poses, the robots lacked flair when crossing the finish line. Both humanoids slammed straight into a thick mat placed several metres after the finish line to stop them. Tiangong stumbled wildly into the sidelines, forcing onlookers to move out of the way.
Another humanoid, the same model as the 100m champion, also ran 400 metres in 39.7 seconds, faster than South African Wayde van Niekerk’s world record of 43.03 seconds.
Despite the raw speed, experts caution that these robotic performances are not directly comparable to human athletic world records. Bolt’s mark remains the official human world record, as recognised by World Athletics.
What This Means for the Future
The event signals more than just a spectacle. These humanoid robots represent rapid advancements in motor control, balance, and artificial intelligence. The progress from 21.50 seconds to sub-9.4 seconds in just one year is extraordinary.
However, the achievement also raises more profound questions. As machines become physically superior to humans in every domain—speed, strength, and endurance—what does that mean for human achievement? And what happens when these capabilities are applied beyond sporting events?
The Bottom Line
A robot beats Usain Bolt’s 100m world record. That is now a statement of fact. With 9.39 seconds for Tiangong Ultra and claims of 9.32 seconds for Lightning, the robotic era of sprinting has officially begun. The question now is not whether machines will surpass human athletes, but how quickly and in what form.
Bolt’s 9.58 seconds, which once seemed untouchable, now feels like a milestone from a previous age. The future of speed, it seems, will be written in code, not muscle
Disclaimer: Robotic times are not officially recognised as athletic world records by World Athletics. Usain Bolt’s 9.58 seconds remains the official human world record for the 100m sprint.
Chinese humanoid robots broke records set by humans, including Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint world record, on the opening day …
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