Citius, altius, fortius: China's Humanoid Robot Games are a triumph

Humanoid robots compete in the 100 m final during the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, August 26, 2026.

Tiangong Ultra ultimately won first place with a 8.64-second time. /VCG Humanoid robots compete in the 100 m final during the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, August 26, 2026.

Tiangong Ultra ultimately won first place with a 8.64-second time. /VCG Editor's note: Ankit Prasad is a CGTN Biz commentator.

The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

How often does one get to witness a genuinely history-making technological milestone being achieved in front of their eyes? I had that good fortune at the World Humanoid Robot Games 2026 in Beijing, and days later, I am still blown away by the sheer drama and thrill of the spectacle that unfolded before my eyes.

Just a short distance away from the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium where in 2008 Usain Bolt set the world record for the men's 100 m, I saw that achievement not just surpassed but thoroughly eclipsed.

Bolt won his 2008 Olympic Gold in the 100 m with a 9.69-second sprint.

A year later, he bettered that with a 9.58-second record in Berlin which still stands today... but only for humans.

Because at the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games, multiple robots have outpaced the fastest human to ever live.

Since the games opened, the robots have got faster and faster.

It began with a 9.39 second time, two-tenths faster than Bolt.

That was already hugely impressive and historic.

But by the final, multiple robots had breached the 9 second-barrier, with the final being clinched with an eyewateringly quick time of 8.64 seconds.

Humanoid robots line up on the running track while other competitions of the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games 2026 are held on the field of the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, August 25, 2026 ./Ankit Prasad Humanoid robots line up on the running track while other competitions of the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games 2026 are held on the field of the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, August 25, 2026 ./Ankit Prasad These robots are every bit the athletes that their human counterparts are.