It’s time to update who has the most sub 10 second 100 meters of all time.
The 2010 summer season is only halfway, and at the time of this post, Asafa Powell’s season best was at the Rome Diamond League. Hopefully Asafa will keep running into 2012 (age 29) and possibly 2016 (age 33).
So far, he has well surpassed Mo Green’s old record of most sub 10 100 meters of 52.
Here is a list of Asafa’s sub 10 numbers:
9.72 x 1
9.74 x 1
9.77 x 4
9.82 x 4
9.83 x 3
9.84 x 3
9.85 x 3
9.86 x 2
9.87 x 3
9.88 x 4
9.89 x 2
9.90 x 4
9.91 x 4
9.93 x 1
9.94 x 3
9.95 x 5
9.96 x 3
9.97 x 3
9.98 x 4
9.99 x 4
While we are at it, it’s good to analyze the old question, WHEN DO SPRINTERS PEAK? As a kid, I was told 25 for sprinters and 30 for distance runners. My guess is those were just nice round numbers.
Some people say sprinters peak earlier in age than distance runners as fast twitch fiber performance decrease with age as seen in the Masters group (with an exception to Val Barnwell who runs faster with age). That’s why we have age grade tables.
When Carlos Lopes won the Los Angeles Olympic Marathon at age 37, that was proof that older runners perform better with age (to a certain extent).
WHEN DO SPRINTERS PEAK?
First, you have to know difference between the training age and chronological age of the athlete.
Another factor to consider is the injuries… then again, when an athlete disappears for two years and suddenly reemerges as a World Class contender, you have to wonder what went on during those 2 years?
Looking at Asafa Powell, did he peak at age 25? Will he prove us wrong at the Brussels Diamond League?
| Year | Time | Windspeed | City | Date | AGE |
| 2000 | 11.45 | -2.3 | Kingston | 13-Mar | 17 |
| 2001 | 10.50 | 0.4 | Kingston | 22-Jun | 18 |
| 2002 | 10.12 | 1.3 | Rovereto | 28-Aug | 19 |
| 2003 | 10.02 | 0.8 | Brussels | 5-Sep | 20 |
| 2004 | 9.87 | 0.2 | Brussels | 3-Sep | 21 |
| 2005 | 9.77 | 1.6 | Athens | 14-Jun | 22 |
| 2006 | 9.77 | 1.0 | Zürich | 15-Aug | 23 |
| 2007 | 9.74 | 1.7 | Rieti | 9-Sep | 24 |
| 2008 | 9.72 | 0.2 | Lausanne | 2-Sep | 25 |
| 2009 | 9.82 | 1.4 | Szczecin | 15-Sep | 26 |
| 2010 | 9.82 | 0.6 | Rome | 10-Jun | 27 |
There is no hard and fast factor which determines when a sprinter will peak or when a long-distance runner reaches the apex of their performance. For sprinters, youth is best served in the early 20’s. Athletes are in their prime as far as fast-twitch muscle fibers and recuperative powers are concerned. Some prime examples of sprinters who peaked at 21 are Lee Evans and Bob Hayes. Jesse Owens peaked at 22 and 23. But, other factors to consider are injuries, (which can stunt athletic performance), training, motivation, health, etc.
Now, it has always been held that long-distance runners get better with age (to a certain extent). This is so because runners develop more stamina as they get older and stronger. But, that mantra may be proven false with the new breed of middle distance wunderkinds. There are several runners from Africa who are barely old enough to legally buy a drink. Their times have proven to be world class. So, we shall see.