Lachie Kennedy has broken the 10 second barrier after running 9.96 in his 100-metre heat at the Australian Athletics Championships.
The 22-year-old sensation blitzed clear of the rest of the field inside the opening 30 metres and carried on stretching clear to set the incredible time at Sydney Olympic Park.
It is the fastest 100 metres ever run by an Aussie on Australian shores — and just three hundredths off the 9.93 set by Patrick Johnson in Japan 23 years ago.
And commentator Bruce McAvaney hailed the performance, simply saying: “What an extraordinary young talent he is.”
Watch Kennedy rewrite the record books in the video player above
Yet despite the astonishing time, Kennedy insisted in his post-race interview that he believes he can go even quicker.
Speaking to Channel 7, he said: “My goal was to just hit the start like I normally do, hit top speed and just try and maintain it.
“I’ve definitely got more in the tank, but what a great way to start the comp.”
He went on to add: “It’s awesome (to break the 10-second barrier in Australia). Hopefully I do it a couple more times. I’m just super thrilled, super happy.”
Social media exploded following Kennedy’s run, with Tim Rosen saying: “9.96 with basically no wind. In a heat. Lachie Kennedy is very much world class! That was pure fire.”
While Daniel MZ Hogan added: “Wow, Lachie Kennedy runs 9.96 for the 100m at the Australian National Champs! Looked very easy for him. Better to come.”
And Timmytheinventor responded: “Holy cow, the dude was coasting. So smooth.”
Kennedy’s performance comes off the back of his victory over 200-metre rival Gout Gout at the the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne last month with a time of 20.38.
And going under 10 seconds for the 100m is another win for Kennedy over Gout — who has never achieved the feat himself.
After that display of dominance, McAvaney said: “We’ve seen it before and he’s done it again.
“He’s brilliant, he really is. He was magnificent tonight. What he did in that first 100m is absolutely breathtaking.
“Gout acknowledges the fact that at the moment, Lachie is the No. 1.”
