Go head-to-head with world's fastest man Usain Bolt in our ultimate 100 m quiz
Usain Bolt couldn’t stop giggling as we gave him our own peculiar version of a sports quiz.
We caught up with the fastest man alive as we named him an official Guinness World Records ICON, and we couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with him.
The Jamaican athlete holds a string of unbelievable world records – most notably the fastest run 100 metres (male) in just 9.58 seconds.
But how well does he know that distance? And can he guess how long it takes people to run it backwards, on all fours, and in high heels?
Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday met Usain at The Edwardian Manchester to find out, and you can go head-to-head with him now in the ultimate 100 m quiz.
First up, we showed him Eamonn Hickson (Ireland) achieving the fastest 100 m crawling (male).
“His knees must be killing,” Usain said as he watched the footage.
When Craig told him it was under a minute, the Olympic legend was shocked.
“Under a minute? It’s a good thing you told me,” he laughed.
Usain guessed 48 seconds.
What’s your guess? Scroll down to see the answer…
Eamonn did it in 55.40 seconds!
Usain was impressed that Eamonn managed it in under a minute and joked he’d be trying it when he got home.
Next, he watched a clip of Tameru Zegeye (Ethiopia) doing the fastest 100 m hand standing on forearm crutches.
So that’s on crutches, upside down, with his legs in the air above his head.
Usain guessed this was slower than the crawl – 1 min 15 sec.
What’s your guess?
The record is 57 sec.
Next is the fastest 100 m on a space hopper (male), which was achieved by Christian Roberto López Rodríguez (Spain).
Usain guessed 25 sec.
What are you saying?
It was just 9.9 sec, and as you can see by Usain’s grimace, he was gutted to be so far off the mark with that one.
Usain couldn’t believe his eyes when we showed him the next clip – the fastest full body burn 100 m sprint (male) – achieved by Jonathan Vero (France).
“I hope it’s like 7 seconds,” Usain laughed.
His actual guess was 16 sec. What’s yours?
Jonathan did it in 17 sec!
“Have you ever been on fire whilst running?” Craig asked Usain.
“No, and I don’t want to,” he replied.
Can’t say we blame him.
Next up in the quiz was the fastest 100 m carrying a partner. This one was broken by Ross and Nicole McCurdy (both USA).
Usain watched Ross running while giving Nicole a piggyback and guessed he did it in 18 sec.
What are you saying?
The record is 19.23 sec.
Usain kicked himself once more after getting so close with his guess.
Next, he watched Majken Sichlau (Denmark) achieve the record for the fastest 100 m in high heels (female).
“She looks quick,” Usain exclaimed, before doing some calculations in his head based on the overall female world record.
He guessed 16 sec. What’s your guess?
Majken took just 13.5 sec!
What about a different type of footwear? The fastest 100 m wearing swim fins (female).
Usain guessed 15/16 sec.
What do you think?
Sara Lajnef (Tunisia) did it in 16.53 sec.
“This is the one that’s won you the T-shirt,” Craig quipped.
Next, Usain watched the fastest 100 m by a quadrupedal robot, which was achieved by KAIST Dynamic Robot Control and Design (DRCD) Laboratory (South Korea).
Usain tried to work out how fast its little legs were moving based off how fast the guy behind it was running.
He guessed 10 sec.
What do you reckon?
The record is 19.87 sec.
Usain shook his head and laughed, saying: “It looks quick!”
Back to humans, what about the fastest 100 m running on all fours?
This one was achieved by Collin McClure (USA).
Usain described Collin’s technique as “solid”, guessing he crossed the finish line in 15.5 sec.
What do you think?
Usain was just a millisecond off – the real time was 15.6 sec.
Christian Roberto López Rodríguez (Spain) was up again, this time with the fastest run backwards 100 m (male).
“This should be an easy 13 seconds,” Usain said.
What’s your guess?
The record is 13.17 sec.
“We found one who can do it faster than you,” Craig told Usain, “but he has got a bit of help… because he’s wearing a jet suit.”
Richard Browning (UK) holds the record for fastest 100 m in a body controlled jet engine powered suit.
Usain was so blown away by the footage he asked to see it again, with Craig teasing that he was going to cheat by counting the seconds in his head.
“In my heart, it says to says 5 but I’m going to say 6,” Usain said.
How fast do you think it was?
The record stands at 7.69 sec.
Did you do better than Usain?
After the quiz, Craig showed Usain a collection of 15 Guinness World Records certificates – all titles he’d earned.
Craig said: “Usain Bolt, for me, is the epitome of a Guinness world Records ICON.”
He added: “The great joy of this job is meeting these fundamental people – the world’s tallest and shortest, this amazing array of people.
“And the shorter the record title, the more amazing, I think, the record is, so fastest human, wow. It’s Usain Bolt!”
As he was presented with his golden ICON certificate, Usain said it meant the world.
He said: “I’m honoured to be a part of the greats, and always happy to be recognized by the Guinness World Records book. For years I’ve been in there and I’ve finally got all the certificates, which are going to look really good in my house.
“I’m happy to be an ICON.”
Usain encouraged everyone to try to break a record of their own.
And as we celebrate our 70th anniversary, here’s how you can Be Part of It!
Usain said, sharing his secrets: “It’s being dedicated to your sport, working hard, understanding that the road won’t be easy.
“There will be ups and downs but you have to be focussed. Having a great team of people around you also, to support you, is very important.
“But it’s mainly just hard work and dedication.”