Christian Coleman breaks 60m world record

The 21-year-old, who won 100m silver behind Justin Gatlin at last summer’s IAAF World Championships, eclipsed the previous mark of 6.39s set by compatriot Maurice Greene in 1998.

Ominously for his fellow sprinters, it was Coleman’s first race of the season, although his run is subject to ratification by the IAAF.

Technically, it is not the fastest time in history – with Usain Bolt charging through 60m in 6.31s on his way to smashing the 100m world record in Berlin in 2009.

Coleman roared onto the global stage last year, winning two silver medals in London (100m, 4x100m), and is widely heralded as the athlete to headline sprinting in the post-Bolt era.

"I'm in disbelief," Coleman's coach Tim Hall told Reuters. "This was his season opener. It was totally unexpected."