Humanoid robots break Usain Bolts 100m record at Beijing games with 9.39-second sprint

Humanoid robots shattered human athletic records at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing over the weekend, with a machine completing the 100-meter sprint in 9.39 seconds, surpassing Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record set in 2009. The event, held at the National Speed Skating Oval, also saw a robot achieve a standing high jump of 2.88 meters, exceeding the human record by 43 centimeters .

The robot Tiangong Ultra, developed at a Beijing research center, recorded the 9.39-second sprint during a preliminary heat, while another model, Lightning, reportedly clocked 9.32 seconds in a test run. The games, running from Saturday to Wednesday, feature 51 disciplines, including athletics, boxing, football, and table tennis, with some events fully autonomous and others operated remotely .

A total of 666 teams—97% of them Chinese—are competing, with 24 foreign teams from 15 countries participating. The number 666 is considered a symbol of "cool" in China, according to local interpretations. The opening ceremony included a robot, Lightning, reciting an oath to respect opponents, officials, and rules, and to uphold human wisdom and peaceful coexistence .

France 24 reported that dozens of humanoids and their operators competed in events ranging from athletics to martial arts, with China demonstrating its dominance in the field . AFP similarly noted that faceless humanoids broke human records in Beijing, including Bolt’s 100-meter sprint .

The games also showcase practical applications, with robots performing tasks such as household chores, factory line work, and rescue operations. A report from a Chinese industry association cited by FAZ suggests China dominates the sector, with 97% of humanoid robots at the event originating from the country .

LIVE, an American rock band, streamed the competitions on YouTube, providing live coverage of the event .