Odisha, Bhubaneshwar- Noah Lyles believes he is rounding into form at the right time ahead of next month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after a scintillating world-leading 200m victory at the US trials on Sunday.
Lyles’s Dominant Win and Championship Ambitions
Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic 100m champion and a formidable force in sprinting, underscored his readiness for the global stage with a world-leading time of 19.63 seconds in the 200m at the US trials in Eugene on Sunday. The 28-year-old from Florida is set to attempt a rare double defense at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, aiming to retain both his 100m and 200m world crowns. A fourth consecutive world 200m gold would see him emulate the legendary Usain Bolt.
Despite a season that has seen him contend with niggling ankle and groin injuries, Lyles believes his best is yet to come. “If they ain’t gonna beat me now, they ain’t gonna beat me ever,” Lyles declared, exuding confidence. He noted that his training suggests even greater performances are on the horizon. “It’s still not even close to what we’ve seen in practice — we’re still far behind,” he added, emphasizing his need for more race sharpness before Tokyo.
A Fiery Rivalry Ignites with Kenny Bednarek
Lyles’s victory was not without controversy, as a heated exchange with fellow American sprinter Kenny Bednarek ignited a potential new rivalry. Lyles appeared to stare down Bednarek just before crossing the finish line, prompting Bednarek to shove him in the back. Lyles, under coach’s orders, refused to comment on the flashpoint.
Bednarek, however, was more vocal about the incident. “That’s unsportsmanlike sh*t, and I don’t deal with that,” Bednarek stated, visibly angered. “The summary is, don’t do that to me… At the end of the day, he won the race. I’ve got to give him props. He was the better man today. What he said didn’t matter, it’s just what he did.”
The 26-year-old from Tulsa, who holds three silver medals in the 200m at major championships but is still seeking his first gold, is determined to turn the tables. “Next time we line up, I’m gonna win,” Bednarek vowed, expressing confidence in a future duel when both sprinters are equally fresh. The feud sets the stage for what could be an intriguing battle between the two US sprinters in Tokyo and beyond.
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