Yohan Blake (born 26 December 1989) is a Jamaican sprinter specialising in the100-metre and200-metre sprint races. He won gold at the 100 m at the2011 World Athletics Championships as the youngest 100 m world champion ever, and a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London in the 100 m and 200 m races for the Jamaican team behindUsain Bolt. His times of 9.75 in 100 m and 19.44 in 200 m are the fastest 100 m and 200 m Olympic sprints in history to place second.
Blake is the second‑fastest man ever in both 100 m and 200 m. Together withTyson Gay, he is the joint second fastest man ever over 100 m with a personal best of 9.69 seconds which he ran on 23 August 2012 which he ran into a slight headwind of -0.2m/s compared to Tyson Gay's +2.0 m/s making his time (with wind adjustments) the second fastest time of all time.[3]OnlyUsain Bolt has run faster (9.58 s and 9.63 s).[4] His personal best for the 200 m (19.26 seconds) is the second fastest time ever after Bolt (19.19 seconds).[5]Blake holds the Jamaican nationaljunior record for the 100 metres, and was the youngest sprinter to have broken the10-second barrier at 19 years, 196 days old beforeTrayvon Bromell ran 100 m in 9.97 seconds at 18 years 11 months and 3 days old.[6][7][8] As such, Blake is considered one of the best sprinters of all time.
Blake was coached byGlen Mills until 2019. His training partners wereUsain Bolt andDaniel Bailey.[9]
Yohan Blake was born on 26 December 1989. He attended Green Park Primary and Junior High School in the Parish of Clarendon.[10] He was discovered as a young talent from Davis Primary School by coach Carlton Solan. While he was at Green Park.Blake attendedSt. Jago High School inSpanish Town where his first sporting love wascricket. Blake was afast bowler, and it was only after the school Principal saw how quickly he ran to the wicket that he was urged to try sprinting.[11]
Blake set the fastest time by a Jamaican junior sprinter over 100 m with 10.11 seconds.[12] The record was set at the2007 CARIFTA Games held in theTurks and Caicos islands where he was also a member of the winning4 × 100 m relay team.[13] At this occasion, he was awarded theAustin Sealy Trophy for themost outstanding athlete of the2007 CARIFTA Games.[14][15]
In 2008 whenUsain Bolt was asked in an interview whether there were any sprinters that could challenge him, Bolt named his training partner Blake, saying "Watch out for Yohan Blake. He works like a beast. He's there with me step for step in training." The "Beast" nickname stuck.[16]
Blake won the 100 metre "B" race at the 2009Reebok Grand Prix.[17] His exploits at theGolden Gala in July represented a significant improvement. He proved himself to be a serious competitor at the senior level: he took third place behindTyson Gay andAsafa Powell and improved his personal best with a10-second barrier-breaking run of 9.96 seconds,[18] becoming the youngest athlete ever to do so.[19] He improved to 9.93 seconds shortly after, taking third place behind training partners Bolt andDaniel Bailey at theMeeting Areva.[20]
Prior to the2009 World Championships, Blake (along withMarvin Anderson andSheri-Ann Brooks) tested positive for the stimulant4-methyl-2-hexanamine.[21][22] A disciplinary panel organised by theJamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) cleared him of a doping infraction on the grounds that the drug was not on theWorld Anti-Doping Agency's banned list. However, JADCO appealed their own panel's ruling, stating that the athlete should be disciplined as the drug was similar in structure to the banned substancetuaminoheptane.[23] As the panel would resolve the issue after the World Championships, theJamaica Amateur Athletic Association took the precaution of withdrawing Blake from therelay race.[24] The appeals tribunal decided that a ban would be appropriate, and Blake and the three other sprinters each received a three-month ban from competition.[25]
At the2011 World Championships, Blake comfortably made the final. Following the disqualification of compatriotUsain Bolt, Blake won the gold medal in a time of 9.92 seconds.[26][27] At 21 years, 245 days, Blake also became the youngest 100 metres world champion ever, surpassingCarl Lewis, who won the event at the1983 World Championships at the age of 22 years, 38 days.[28] At these World Championships, alongside Bolt,Nesta Carter andMichael Frater, Blake won gold in the4 × 100 m relay final and broke the world record (set by the Jamaican team at theBeijing Olympics in 2008) with a time of 37.04 seconds.[29][30]
At the2011 IAAF Diamond League meeting inZurich, Blake beatAsafa Powell in the 100 m with a personal best of 9.82 seconds. The following week inBrussels, Blake set a 2011 world leading time in the 200 m with a personal best of 19.26 seconds, the second fastest time in history. He improved more than half of a second (0.52 s) from his previous best of 19.78 s set inMonaco in 2010.[31][5] In this particular race, his reaction time was relatively slow (0.269 s) and had he made even an average start, he could have comfortably set a new world record.[32]
Blake began his 2012 season strongly, registering the first sub-10-second time of the season (9.90 s) at April's UTech Classic.[33] He went on to register a 9.84 second run at the Cayman Invitational prior to the Jamaican Olympic trials, where he beat Usain Bolt over 100 metres with a time of 9.75 seconds. He also won the 200 metres with a time of 19.80 s ahead of Bolt at 19.83 s.
The2012 London Olympics was the first Olympics that Blake participated in. He came in as a serious threat to Bolt's 100 m title. In the100 m final he placed second to Bolt in a time of 9.75 seconds. He also followed Bolt home in the final of the200 metres where he won the silver medal in a time of 19.44 seconds, the fastest non-winning time in history.[34]
In the4 × 100 m final, Blake ran the third leg as the Jamaicans won gold, setting a newworld record time of 36.84 seconds.
On 23 August 2012, at theAthletissima Diamond League meet inLausanne, Switzerland, Blake ran the 100 metres in 9.69 seconds, tying him with Tyson Gay as the second fastest man in history, behind Bolt.[35]
Blake suffered a hamstring injury in April 2013. After running 20.72 seconds over 200 m in the Jamaica Nationals on 8 June, thus failing to qualify for the 200 m event at the 2013 Moscow World Championships, Blake pulled out of the 100 m event of the World Championships, for which he had an automatic entry as the defending world champion.
Blake tried competing again in 2014, but placed 6th at the 200 m Lausanne Diamond League event, with a time of 20.48 seconds. He then suffered another hamstring injury and fell at the 40 metre mark during the Glasgow Diamond League 100 m race shortly after that, ending his season.Prior to the end of his season however, Blake anchored Jamaica in the 4 × 200 m relay at the first edition of the I.A.A.F. World Relays in Bahamas to gold which was also broke the previous world record of 1:18.68.
Blake decided he was ready to race again in 2015 after recovering from injuries in 2013 and 2014. He failed to advance from the Jamaica Outdoor national championship semi-final in the 100 metres, placing ninth with a time of 10.36 seconds, with the top 8 advancing to the finals. He did not participate in the 200 m trials after that.[36]
Blake made a strong comeback in 2016, running his first sub-10 race since 2012—a 9.95 s in the 100 m at the 2016 Kingston MVP Track and Field meet. He then went on to defend both his 100 m and 200 m national titles in 9.92 seconds and 20.29 seconds respectively, in the absence of an injured Usain Bolt.
At the2016 Summer Olympics, Blake progressed into the100 m final, where he finished fourth in a season's best 9.93 seconds. In the 200 m, he finished 6th in his semi-final, failing to advance forward. However, Blake won his second career Olympic gold running the second leg in the4 × 100 m relay.[citation needed]
2017 proved to be a slight repeat of 2016 for Blake. Despite his teammates dropping the baton in the4 × 100 metres at the2017 IAAF World Relays, he was able to anchor his team to a bronze medal in the4 × 200 metres. Later on in the season, he continued to post 100 m times superior to his 2016 season. At the Jamaican National Championships, he once again completed a double by clocking 9.90 s in the 100 m, and 19.97 s in the 200 m. His 9.90 s was the second fastest time that season, and his 200 m was not only his first sub-20 since 2012 and massive improvement from his previous season, but also tied for the sixth fastest time of the year. After the championships, Blake shaved his signature braids.[citation needed]
At the2017 World Championships in Athletics in London, Blake finished in fourth place yet again in the100 m final. This time, he clocked 9.99 seconds, just 0.04 behind Usain Bolt, who failed to win his last individual race and instead settled for bronze. Blake was one of the only four men who went under ten seconds during the race, the others being Bolt, silver medalistChristian Coleman, and gold medalistJustin Gatlin. Just as he did in Rio the previous year, Blake failed to progress into the200 m final, though he was ranked closer this time with 11th overall and a slower 20.52 s to come third in his heat. After this, Blake looked forward to theMen's 4 × 100 metres relay, his last chance at a medal at the championships, and Usain Bolt's final race. During the race, Bolt pulled up 50 metres from the finish line in what was later confirmed to be another hamstring injury. Blake helped the injured Bolt, who refused a wheelchair, to his feet. Blake left the championships with no medals.[citation needed]
Blake started his 2018 season early, in preparation for the2018 Commonwealth Games. Despite a seasonal best of 10.05 s in the 100 m, he was still considered as the event's favorite. Blake qualified comfortably for the100 m final with the fastest time in both the heats and the semis. However, he stumbled out of the blocks in the final, and despite his strong efforts to recover, he ultimately placed third in 10.19 seconds, behindHenricho Bruintjies andAkani Simbine ofSouth Africa. Blake won another bronze in theMen's 4 × 100 m relay. After the Games, Blake focused on the Jamaican National Championships, hoping to win his third straight national title. However, he false started in the semi-finals, disqualifying his chances. He also opted out of the 200 m. Later on in the season, Blake continued to progress in the 100 m with two sub-tens.[citation needed]
In January 2019, coach Glen Mills reported that he had parted ways with Blake after a disagreement. Blake switched to Patrick Dawson, and would continue to workout at the Racers Track Club site. Months later, Blake and numerous former members of Racers Track Club accused Mills of favoring Usain Bolt. Despite the controversy, Blake took home the national 100 m title for the 4th time, and finished 2nd in the 200 m. He also won theBirminghamDiamond League 100 m en route to the 2019 World Championships in Doha. There, he managed to place 5th in the 100 m final with a time of 9.97, but was unable to make it past the 200 m semi final, placing 6th with a time of 20.37.[citation needed]
Following his disappointing performance at the World Championships, Blake switched coaches once again to Gregory Little.[citation needed]
Yohan Blake started his season at National Stadium, Kingston. On 13 March 2021, Blake ran 100 m in 10.29 seconds (0.0 m/s) there. On 24 April, he smashed his season best at 10.27 (+0.2 m/s).
On 2 May, Blake reached sub-ten performance clocking 9.98 seconds at the National Training Centre, Clermont, USA. But with the wind value being 2.7 m/s, the time became illegal.
Again on 5 June, his run of 9.97 seconds was turned down due to 2.1 m/s wind in Florida, USA.
Then, Blake ran an impressive 9.95 (+0.1 m/s) at the American Track League on 9 July 2021.
Blake had a disappointing Summer Olympics. He failed to advance to the final of the100 m, placing sixth in his semifinal heat with a time of 10.14. He stated his leg had been bothering him.[37] No Jamaican man qualified for the Olympic final, something that had not happened since the2000 Summer Olympics.[38] He and his Jamaican teammates came in fifth in the4 × 100 m relay. He did not compete in the 200 m.
| Event | Time (seconds) | Venue | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 metres | 6.45 (+0.9 m/s) | Kingston | 23 February 2023 | |
| 100 metres | 9.69 (-0.1 m/s) | Lausanne | 23 August 2012 | #2 all time |
| 200 metres | 19.26 (+0.7 m/s) | Brussels | 16 September 2011 | #2 all time |
| 400 metres | 46.32 | Kingston | 23 March 2013 |
| Year | 100 Metres | Year rank | 200 Metres | Year rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 10.56 | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 10.33 | 158 | 20.92 | 217 |
| 2007 | 10.11 | 31 | 20.62 | 81 |
| 2008 | 10.27 | 127 | 21.06 | 341 |
| 2009 | 10.07 | 34 | 20.60 | 83 |
| 2010 | 9.89 | 7 | 19.78 | 4 |
| 2011 | 9.82 | 5 | 19.26 | 1 |
| 2012 | 9.69 | 2 | 19.44 | 2 |
| 2013 | — | — | 20.72 | 152 |
| 2014 | 10.02 | 21 | 20.48 | 84 |
| 2015 | 10.12 | 71 | 21.57 | 1651 |
| 2016 | 9.93 | 10 | 20.13 | 23 |
| 2017 | 9.90 | 2 | 19.97 | 6 |
| 2018 | 9.94 | 11 | — | — |
| 2019 | 9.96 | 10 | 20.23 | 32 |
| 2020 | 10.15 | 36 | 20.62 | 45 |
| 2021 | 9.95 | 15 | 20.18 | 28 |
| 2022 | 9.85 | 3 | 20.20 | 42 |
| 2023 | 10.01 | 41 | 20.35 | 66 |
| 2024 | 10.16 | 178 | — | — |
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing Jamaica | |||||
| 2005 | CARIFTA Games (U-17) | Bacolet,Trinidad and Tobago | 1st | 100 m | 11.01 |
| 1st | 200 m | 22.19 | |||
| World Youth Championships | Marrakesh,Morocco | 7th | 100 m | 10.65(+0.8 m/s) | |
| 3rd (h) | Sprint medley relay | 1:54.47 | |||
| 2006 | CARIFTA Games (U-20) | Les Abymes,Guadeloupe | 1st | 200 m | 21.12(−0.5 m/s) |
| 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 39.81 | |||
| Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships (U-20) | Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | 1st | 100 m | 10.33(+1.5 m/s) | |
| 1st | 200 m | 21.02(+1.4 m/s) | |||
| 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 40.49 | |||
| World Junior Championships | Beijing,China | 3rd | 100 m | 10.42(−0.5 m/s) | |
| 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 39.05 | |||
| 2007 | CARIFTA Games (U-20) | Providenciales,Turks and Caicos | 1st | 100 m | 10.11CR(+1.2 m/s) |
| 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 39.47 | |||
| 2008 | CARIFTA Games (U-20) | Basseterre,Saint Kitts and Nevis | 1st | 100 m | 10.32(+0.1 m/s) |
| World Junior Championships | Bydgoszcz,Poland | 4th | 100 m | 10.51(−0.8 m/s) | |
| 2nd | 4 × 100 m relay | 39.25 | |||
| 2011 | World Championships | Daegu,South Korea | 1st | 100 m | 9.92 |
| 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 37.04WR | |||
| 2012 | Olympic Games | London,United Kingdom | 2nd | 100 m | 9.75 |
| 2nd | 200 m | 19.44 | |||
| 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 36.84WR | |||
| 2014 | World Relay Championships | Nassau, Bahamas | 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 37.77 |
| 1st | 4 × 200 m relay | 1:18.63WR | |||
| 2016 | Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro,Brazil | 4th | 100 m | 9.93 |
| 16th (sf) | 200 m | 20.37 | |||
| 1st | 4 × 100 m relay | 37.27 | |||
| 2017 | World Relay Championships | Nassau, Bahamas | – | 4 × 100 m relay | DNF |
| 3rd | 4 × 200 m relay | 1:21.09 | |||
| 2017 | World Championships | London,United Kingdom | 4th | 100 m | 9.99 |
| 11th (sf) | 200 m | 20.52 | |||
| — | 4 × 100 m relay | DNF | |||
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 3rd | 100 m | 10.19 |
| 3rd | 4 × 100 m relay | 38.35 | |||
| 2019 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 5th | 100 m | 9.97 |
| 15th (sf) | 200 m | 20.37 | |||
| 11th (h) | 4 × 100 m relay | 38.15 | |||
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo,Japan | 18th (sf) | 100 m | 10.14 |
| 5th | 4 × 100 m relay | 37.84 | |||
| 2022 | World Championships | Eugene, United States | 9th (sf) | 100 m | 10.12 |
| 19th (h) | 200 m | 20.351 | |||
| 4th | 4 × 100 m relay | 38.06 | |||
1Did not start in the semi-finals.
Away from athletics, Blake continues to be a keencricketer, having once held ambitions to play for theWest Indies.[16] Playing for the Kingston Cricket Club in the athletics off-season and specialising as a bowler, Blake once took four wickets for ten runs.[16]
On 16 August 2012, Blake rang the bell atLord's Cricket Ground,London to signify the start of thethird Investec test match betweenEngland andSouth Africa.[40] He was the first non-professional cricketer to do this.[citation needed]
Blake is also a fan of the IPL teamRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and has expressed his desire to play for them[41]and forYorkshire County Cricket Club.[42] He has expressed his admiration ofVirat Kohli's captaincy of theIndian cricket team.[43]
In March 2021, Blake said that he would rather miss the upcomingTokyo 2020 Olympics than take theCOVID-19 vaccine.[44][45]
| Achievements | ||
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| Preceded by | Men's season's best performance, 200 metres 2011 | Succeeded by |
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