World and Olympic 400m champion Steven Gardiner told the world on Friday (January 28) that he will still be the man to beat in 2022, after speeding to the fastest indoor 300m in history.

In what was only his second race of the season, the soft-spoken Bahamian spoke loudly about his ambitions this year when he scorched the track with a blistering 31.56 at the South Carolina Invitational in Columbia.

Gardiner had set a national record of 32.06 over the distance just two weeks ago but returned to shave a half a second off his time and shatter the world indoor best of 31.87 that was set by Noah Lyles in 2017.

Jamaica’s Nathon Allen finished second in a personal best 32.54. Like Gardiner, Allen now trains under the guidance of coach Gary Evans.

After the race, Gardiner delivered an ominous message for his rivals this season.

“I’m in awe and I’m proud of the strides I’m making this season,”  he posted on social media. “So much more to come in the next few months.”

Only seven men – including Usain Bolt, Michael Johnson and Wayde van Niekerk – have ever gone faster for 300m outdoors.

Also at the meet, Tokyo Olympics 100m hurdles gold medallist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, won the women’s event, clocking 36.52 to improve on her own Puerto Rican record from two weeks ago.

It was a big meet for Caribbean athletes as Guyana’s Aliyah Abrams won the 400m in 52.05 from Diamond League champion Quanera Hayes (52.31).