BEIJING, China: A Chinese humanoid robot has scorched past one of sport’s most iconic records, clocking 9.32 seconds in the 100 meters, a feat that leaves even Usain Bolt’s legendary 9.58-second world record in the dust.
The robot, named Lightning and developed by smartphone maker Honor, achieved the astonishing time during a preparatory test event for the second World Humanoid Robot Games, which opened in Beijing on Saturday.
Honor’s humanoid robot “Lightning” ran 100 meters in 9.32 seconds during a test ahead of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, beating Usain Bolt’s human record of 9.58 seconds.
The robot reached a peak speed of 14.5 m/s. pic.twitter.com/849VDSdwUo
— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 22, 2026
Reaching a blistering peak speed of 14.5 meters per second (approximately 52 km/h), the machine demonstrated how far robotics technology has advanced in replicating, and surpassing, human athleticism.
From Beijing half-marathon to 100m glory
Lightning is no stranger to breaking records. In April, the robot won the 21km Beijing half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, a pace faster than the elite human world-record time for the distance.
Chinese humanoid robot by smartphone maker Honor (“Lightning”) ran 100m in 9.32 seconds (Usain Bolt’s record is 9.58 seconds).
Perhaps more impressively: it crashed into a safety wall without having its waist implode with sparks flying off. pic.twitter.com/Edzg9pzY7s
— Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) August 22, 2026
At that time, the robot stood 169cm tall with 95cm legs. However, researchers have since extended its leg length by 10cm to 1.05 metres ahead of the World Humanoid Robot Games, a modification that likely contributed to its record-shattering sprint performance, according to China Central Television.
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China’s robot ambitions
The development comes as China aggressively promotes humanoid robots as a strategic emerging industry. Policymakers and corporations are betting that rapid advances in artificial intelligence and hardware will accelerate the deployment of robots in manufacturing, logistics, and consumer applications.
With Lightning’s latest achievement, China has sent a clear message: its robots are not only keeping pace with humans, they are leaving them behind.
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Usain Bolt: The man behind the record
Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time. Born on August 21, 1986, in Sherwood Content, Jamaica, Bolt burst onto the global stage at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won three gold medals and set world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, all in world-record times.
Chinese robot beats Usain Bolt’s 100m world record in test run https://t.co/aOz90eZGh6 pic.twitter.com/NWRvYy0opp
— Deccan Herald (@DeccanHerald) August 22, 2026
His 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, has stood for over 15 years and remains one of the most revered marks in sporting history. Bolt also holds the 200m world record (19.19 seconds) and is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100m and 200m titles at three consecutive Games (2008, 2012, 2016).
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Known for his towering 6ft 5in (1.95m) frame, charismatic personality, and trademark “Lightning Bolt” celebration, he retired after the 2017 World Championships with eight Olympic gold medals and 11 World Championship golds to his name.
