Yohan Blake
The second-fastest man in history, a Jamaican sprinting powerhouse who pushed his teammate Usain Bolt to legendary limits.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Jamaican sprinter·Birthday: December 26·Millennials
Biography
Yohan Blake, nicknamed 'The Beast' for his ferocious training ethic, emerged from Usain Bolt's shadow to become a global sprinting titan in his own right. His breakthrough was seismic: at the 2011 World Championships, a 21-year-old Blake won the 100m gold after Bolt false-started, becoming the youngest ever world champion in the event. The following year, he confirmed his status by running the second-fastest times ever in both the 100m and 200m, times that still stand, only to finish with Olympic silver medals behind Bolt's gold in London. Blake's career has been a story of supreme talent battling persistent injuries. Even when not at his peak, his presence defined an era of Jamaican sprint dominance, his powerful starts and driven personality providing the ultimate foil for Bolt's showmanship and pushing the boundaries of human speed.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Yohan was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Yohan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Yohan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the youngest 100m world champion in history at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu with a time of 9.92 seconds.
- Won Olympic silver medals in both the 100m and 200m at the 2012 London Games, finishing behind teammate Usain Bolt in both races.
- His personal bests of 9.69 seconds in the 100m and 19.26 seconds in the 200m are the second-fastest times ever recorded in each event.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'The Beast' originated from his incredibly intense and demanding training sessions.
Blake is a devout Christian and often points to the sky after races.
He ran a 19.44 second 200m in 2012, which is the fastest time ever run for second place in a race, as he finished behind Bolt's 19.32.
“'I don't think limits.'”
