Olympic champion Yohan Blake of Jamaica has lauded China’s star sprinter Su Bingtian, describing him as a “really great athlete” and recalling their long-standing friendship since they first competed together in London 12 years ago.
Blake, who secured gold medals in the men’s 4×100-meter relay at both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, shared his admiration for Su during a recent interview. “Su Bingtian is a really great athlete,” Blake said. “We’ve known each other since London, and it’s always a pleasure competing with him.”
The 34-year-old Jamaican sprinter is well-known for his fierce rivalry with compatriot Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist famously nicknamed “Lightning Bolt.” Reflecting on their competition, Blake asserted that he “trained harder” than Bolt, adding that their rivalry was both “fun and tough.”
Their intense training sessions and competitive spirit led Bolt to nickname Blake “The Beast.” Blake earned his own place in history by winning the 100 meters title at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, after Bolt was disqualified due to a false start.
In 2012, Blake shocked the athletics world by defeating Bolt in both the 100 meters and 200 meters at Jamaica’s Olympic trials. However, Bolt reclaimed his dominance at the London Olympics, winning gold in both events while Blake took silver. The duo then joined forces to lead Jamaica to the top of the podium in the men’s 4×100-meter relay, setting a new world record in the process. They replicated this success four years later at the Rio Olympics.
Su Bingtian, often referred to as “Asia’s Fastest Man,” made history by becoming the first Chinese athlete to reach the 100 meters final at the Olympic Games during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, setting an Asian record of 9.83 seconds in the semifinals. His achievements have inspired a new generation of athletes in China and across Asia.
Blake’s praise highlights the mutual respect and camaraderie among the world’s top sprinters, transcending national boundaries. As both athletes continue to influence the sport, their stories serve as inspiration for aspiring sprinters globally.
Reference(s):
Su Bingtian a really great athlete, says Olympic champion Yohan Blake
cgtn.com
