Popular internet personality and streamer IShowSpeed has once again left his massive fanbase in complete disbelief. The 20-year-old content creator, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., took on an extraordinary challenge by racing one of the planet's fastest land animals—a cheetah. The short, adrenaline-fueled sprint was captured on video and uploaded to his official YouTube channel, where it spread like wildfire across social media platforms.
The Heart-Pounding Cheetah Sprint
In the now-viral clip, IShowSpeed is seen lining up next to a cheetah within a secure and controlled environment. As the race commences, both competitors launch forward simultaneously. The cheetah demonstrates its natural, breathtaking acceleration, while Speed pushes his own limits with full effort. The entire sequence is tense, wild, and visually captivating from the very first second.
Despite the clear victory for the feline athlete, it was Speed's unforgettable reaction that truly captured the audience's attention. Gasping for breath and buzzing with exhilaration, he exclaimed with a shocked grin, "I won?!" before triumphantly shouting his signature phrase, "I am Speed!" The engaging content resonated powerfully with viewers, amassing approximately 60,000 likes and over 483,000 views in a remarkably short period, showcasing his unparalleled reach online.
A History of High-Profile Sports Challenges
This daring cheetah race is merely the latest entry in IShowSpeed's growing portfolio of athletic endeavours. His ambition often pits him against world-class competitors. Notably, in November 2024, he faced off against Olympic gold medalist sprinter Noah Lyles in a high-stakes 50-meter dash with $100,000 on the line. Although Lyles ultimately secured the win, fans were impressed by how competitively Speed performed against the champion.
His running credentials don't end there. He has also raced and defeated former Liverpool football star Jamie Carragher and outrun fitness creator Ashton Hall four consecutive times. Through these public challenges, Speed has openly expressed his serious dream of one day competing in the Olympic Games.
Beyond the Track: The "Speed Goes Pro" Series
IShowSpeed's athletic curiosity extends far beyond sprinting. His YouTube series, Speed Goes Pro, documents his attempts to master various sports. He has thrown football passes with NFL legend Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl winner, entered the WWE ring with guidance from superstar Randy Orton, and even managed to surprise basketball icon Kevin Durant during a spontaneous sprint challenge.
His quest for competition is relentless. Last year, during Super Bowl week, he publicly challenged Olympic sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson to a race. Her cool response was, "I don't race for free." However, both parties have since hinted that a future matchup could potentially be on the cards.
For now, the cheetah sprint stands as one of IShowSpeed's most audacious and memorable stunts to date. It reinforces his reputation as a creator who will go to any length for excitement, audience engagement, and his genuine love for the thrill of the race.
