Jamaica's Usain Bolt ran a world record 9.72 seconds for the 100m in the Reebok Grand Prix meet at the Icahn Stadium in New York on Saturday night.
Bolt, 21, lowered the previous best held by compatriot Asafa Powell, who three times ran 9.74secs.
The 6ft 5ins runner was running only his fifth 100m race and was competing in the lane next to America's 100m world champion Tyson Gay on a still night following thunderstorms earlier in the evening.
Gay was second in a personal best of 9.85secs with Darvis 'Doc' Patton of the USA third in 10.07secs.
Lightning struck again with Bolt's historic run that sent a huge Jamaican contingent of fans wild with celebrations.
Bolt had set the track world buzzing on May 3 when he ran 9.76secs -
the second-fastest 100m time in history - in Kingston, Jamaica, and he was earlier in the week still undecided whether he would even enter the 100m at the Jamaican Olympic trials, proclaiming himself a 200m specialist.
He now stands out in front of the pack as the fastest man in the world.
Bolt admitted he was glad there had been a false start the first time he went into the blocks.
"I was glad of that first false start," Bolt, a self-confessed poor starter due to his height, said.
"My first start wasn't that good but I knew if I got Tyson on the start I would have a better chance of winning.
"Tyson and I aren't really good at starting so, my coach said concentrate on your drive (out of the blocks) and transition phase, get it right and just take it from there and I did exactly that."
Bolt revealed he was not looking for the world best, but felt in good shape.
"I had an idea (the record was on) because I ran in Trinidad and I ran pretty bad and still ran 9.92, so I was pretty confident coming here," Bolt said.
"I wasn't looking for a world record but it was there for the taking so I just went out there and ran my best race."
Bolt, who had previously suggested he would specialise in the 200m, now looks set to double up in future.
"I think that would change now," Bolt said. "I'm definitely doubling up."
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