Usain Bolt shatters 100m world record in 9.58 seconds

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after winning the men's 100 metres final at the world athletics championships at the Olympic stadium in Berlin August 16, 2009. Bolt won the race in a time of 9.58 seconds setting a new world record. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (GERMANY)

Usain Bolt of Jamaica shattered his own world record in the 100 meters dash on Sunday with a time of 9.58 seconds at the World Championships in Berlin.

Bolt's record was 11 tenths of a second faster than his previous world record of 9.69 seconds, which he set at last year's Beijing Olympics.

In the eagerly awaited race, his closest rival was Tyson Gay of the U.S., who ran the race in 9.71 seconds.

As the race unfolded, Bolt looked sideways to his right for Gay who was not next to him.

Approaching the end and clearly in the lead Bolt looked for his time at his lower left, celebrating at the end after several minutes of acknowledging the crowd with his famous bowman pose.

Asafa Powell, who came in third at 9.84 seconds, hugged his compatriot after the race.

"I was definitely ready for the world record and I did it," Bolt said, according to a report by the event's organizer, IAAF. "I didn't think I could run a tenth (of a second) faster than my World record, but for me, anything is possible."

Gay's time was an American record.

"I'm disappointed to have lost the race, but I ran my fastest time," he said.

Powell rejoiced in Bolt's win.

"I'm so excited about Usain's run tonight, it is great to be part of this," Powell said. "Usain showed us that it is possible."

Usain Bolt of Jamaica finishes first ahead of Tyson Gay of the U.S. and Asafa Powell (R-L) of Jamaica in the men's 100 metres final during the world athletics championships at the Olympic stadium in Berlin, August 16, 2009. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY)

Daniel Bailey of Antigua and Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago both had times of 9.93 seconds.

Dwain Chambers of the United Kingdom and Marc Burns of Trinidad tied at 10.0 seconds, while Darvis Patton of the U.S. ended with a time of 10.34 seconds.