Tokyo, Japan – Olympic and world champion Noah Lyles delivered a strong kickoff to his 2026 outdoor season by claiming the men’s 100 metres title at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix, the third stop on the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
Lyles, competing in his first 100m race of the year, opened with a 10.05s heat into a headwind before powering to a 9.95s victory (+0.6m/s) in the final. The American’s performance underscored his sprinting prominence, finishing ahead of 18-year-old Tate Taylor (10.04s) and Great Britain’s Jake Odey-Jordan (10.09s).
“It wasn’t my fastest, but it’s definitely one of my better season openers,” Lyles said after the race. “It’s a great way to start the season — well worth the journey, and I’m excited to have it in such an incredible atmosphere.”
Sprint and Middle Distance Highlights
American sprint star Jordan Anthony followed up with a commanding win in the 200m, clocking 20.05s into a headwind, with Courtney Lindsey finishing second in 20.28s. In the 400m flat race, world and Olympic 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin recorded a solid 44.69s, holding off Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga (44.83s) in his season opener.
Record-Breaking Performances
Britain’s Yemi Mary John delivered one of the day’s standout performances in the women’s 400m, lowering her personal best to 49.85s — a new meeting record — and dipping under the 50-second mark, with Bailey Lear close behind in 50.42s..
Additional meeting records were set in the distance events. Kenya’s Janet Jepkoech surged to victory in the women’s 3000m with a PB of 8:39.24, while Japanese runners Nagiya Mori (7:38.98), Ryuto Igawa (7:39.36) and Yu Shibata (7:39.51) all broke national and meeting marks in the men’s 3000m.
Field Events and Hurdles
In field action, Czech javelin ace Jakub Vadlejch opened his season with a best throw of 85.24m, while Japan’s Yuki Hashioka won the men’s long jump at 8.22m and compatriot Sou Shibuya claimed the high jump on countback at 2.24m. In the hurdles, Tatsuki Abe took the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.26s, and Alia Armstrong won the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.75s.
As one of the early marquee meets of the global season, the Seiko Golden Grand Prix showcased a blend of elite sprinting, record-setting runs and strong international competition.
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