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Soccer, like other sports, is undergoing an uncommon progression, as the evolution is moving further and further away from the technical to the physical. The trend is obvious, so much so that the obsession with being in the gym has surpassed the hours of specialized training, all to have outstanding performances.
Speed is one of the main characteristics of most sports. Being fast tends to give a plus that, on many occasions, makes the difference between winning and losing. The proof is that a tenth of a second can make or break a gold medal; a sprint can make or break a goal or a kickoff can make or break a Super Bowl. It’s all or nothing. That small difference, or almost, capable of changing the life of a keen athlete in speed.
The kings of speed have made the 100-meter dash their perfect measuring ground. And they are in all sports disciplines. Thus, the two new phenomena of world soccer have speed in their blood. Mbappé and Haaland have managed to combine fabulous technique with brutal power. The result can be seen every weekend with PSG and Manchester City.
When it comes to pure speed, the French striker has the advantage. Kylian even achieved an incredible 38 km/h in a sprint from the middle of the field during the Parisians’ victory against Monaco. Haaland is not to be outdone and even broke all Bundesliga records by reaching a top speed of 36 km/h while playing for Borussia Dortmund. If we look at Spain, we find two men above the lot: Adama Traore and Marcos Llorente also reached speeds close to 36 km/h.
In basketball, you find the maximum power especially in the NBA. The huge physical difference with the rest of the international leagues is obvious and the comparisons are palpable when a FIBA team is measured against a team from the North American league. Becoming number one in all statistics has become an obsession for NBA superstars. And speed is vital in a league that is increasingly moving away from the static game and where the almost unified premise is “running.”
In this particular game, Russell Westbrook is head and shoulders above the rest. The controversial point guard leads the entire league in top speed with a record of 34.76 mph. His 1.90m and great leg power make him the perfect player in transitions (another thing is to know how to choose well or have a good hand). Measuring top speed in tennis is complicated by the fact that tennis is a sport where the main shots are short and explosive. However, a study conducted by Tennis Australia in 2016 revealed the rankings of the fastest players.
Djokovic came out on top, far ahead of the others and with an almost unbelievable speed for a tennis player: 36.02 km/h for the Serbian. These were the best years of “Nole” and the moment of his best physical form. However, it is surprising to note the position of Nadal (12th) with only 26.84 km/h, while the Spaniard proved to be an expert in reaching impossible balls every other match.
After track and field, American soccer is probably the sport that places the most importance on speed. Every second gained can mean millions of dollars when it comes to signing a contract. Tyreek Hill, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, embodies the spirit of the total sprinter. Able to run over 37 mph. According to World Athletics, the best time of the Dolphins player in the 100 meters is 10.19 and his record in the 40 yards dash is 4.29 seconds with a top speed of 36.6 km/h.
Bolt, meanwhile, holds the world record in the 100-meter dash (9.56 seconds) and even participated in an exhibition race during Super Bowl week, in which he broke all-time records in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.22 seconds at a top speed of 43.4 km/h.
On the other hand, the legendary Jonah Lomu (who died in 2015) put rugby in the air with an almost unique appearance. Nearly two meters tall (1.98 m) and 120 kilograms “flying” at more than 35 km/h. The New Zealander became unstoppable until he became an icon of world sport. In a report by “Ruck”, Lomu himself was estimated at 10.70 seconds in the 100-meter sprint. However, the Kiwi is by far not the fastest rugby player. There is Trae Williams. This Herculean Australian, capable of running the 100m in 10.1 seconds, decided to give up athletics, where he was a star, to try rugby 7s. Today, he is one of the most outstanding players in the Australian team in a form of rugby that is perfect for running with maximum power.
The fastest athletes in the world in 2022-23
1. Bolt: 44.72 km/h ——- 9.58
2. Mbappé: 38.02 km/h—–11
3. Jonah Lomu: 37.44 km/h—11.1
4. Tyreek Hill : 37.2 km/h—11.2
5. Djokovic : 36.02 km/h —- 11.5
6. Haaland: 36 km/h— 11.6
7. Westbrook: 34.76 km/h— 12.01
