List of American sprinters who defeated Usain Bolt in their careers feat. Justin Gatlin

The Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt is considered the greatest of all time in the track running domain, and his 100m and 200m world records are yet to be broken even after years of his retirement. However, there were times when he faced strong competition from his American counterparts and experienced defeat. Justin Gatlin, the four-time world champion, was among the few runners who gave Usain Bolt a run for his money.

Apart from his world records, Bolt holds the record of completing an Olympic triple twice in his career. At the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, he swept both the individual (100m and 200m) events and anchored his team to secure the top spot on the podium in 4x100 meters two consecutive times.

On that note, let's find out the American athletes who challenged Usain Bolt's dominance on the track and broke his undefeated streak in various instances.

#3 Tyson Gay

Athletics - Olympics: Day 14 (Source: GETTY)

Three-time world champion Tyson Gay was the first American to ever beat Usain Bolt in an individual event. It was during the BAUHAUS-Galan, formerly known as DN-Galan, in 2010.

Gay won the 100-meter event against Bolt in a time of 9.84 seconds, while the Jamaican finished the race in 9.97 seconds. Notably, it was only the second defeat of Bolt's career back then, the first being against his compatriot Asafa Powell.

#2 Christian Coleman

16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 - Day Three (Source: GETTY)

The 28-year-old Georgia native, Christian Coleman, is the only active runner on the list who has defeated Usain Bolt two times in his impressive track and field career. Both of his wins against the eight-time Olympic champion came at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

In the semi-finals of the event, Coleman clocked 9.97 seconds to win the race, while Bolt finished second with 9.98 seconds. It also ended the Jamaican's 45-race winning streak back then.

Coming to the finals, Bolt had to settle for a third-place finish at the competition, clocking 9.95 seconds, 0.01 seconds shy of Coleman's silver-winning time of 9.94 seconds. The race also turned out to be the last race of his career.

#1 Justin Gatlin

16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 - Day Two (Source: GETTY)

Five-time Olympic and World Championship gold medalist Justin Gatlin once dominated track and field headlines for his rivalry with Usain Bolt. And Gatlin is one of only two American runners to have defeated the Jamaican icon twice in his career.

In June 2013, Justin Gatlin reigned supreme at the Golden Gala, aka the Rome Diamond League, to defeat Usain Bolt in a 100m faceoff. Gatlin cut the tape in 9.94 seconds, while Bolt crossed the finish line in 9.95 seconds.

Gatlin's second victory against his Jamaican counterpart came at the 2017 World Athletics Championships, where he secured the 100m world title with 9.92 seconds, while Bolt had to settle for a bronze with a time of 9.95 seconds. It's the same event where Coleman won silver with 9.94 seconds.