Noah Lyles, the electrifying 26-year-old sprinter, clinched his third consecutive world 200m title with a dazzling performance at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest. Lyles, who had already secured his first-ever world 100m championship just days ago, showcased his undeniable prowess by completing the sprint double in a time of 19.52 seconds.
While Noah Lyles fell short of his ambitious goal of 19.10 seconds, his confident predictions resonated as he delivered a remarkable performance on the track. The charismatic athlete’s 19.52-second victory emphasized his ability to back up his words with actions.
Lyles, whose previous victory saw him surpass Michael Johnson’s long-standing US record with a time of 19.31 seconds, now joins the elite ranks of athletes who have won three or more successive world 200m gold medals, with the legendary Usain Bolt being the only other sprinter to achieve this feat.
The podium echoed with the talents of emerging stars poised to challenge Lyles in the years ahead. Notably, 19-year-old compatriot Erriyon Knighton, who had secured bronze in Oregon last year, secured the silver medal with a time of 19.75 seconds. The bronze went to 20-year-old Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, also the 100m silver medalist and world U20 200m champion, who crossed the finish line in 19.81 seconds.
British sprinter Zharnel Hughes, fresh from his 100m bronze win, narrowly missed out on a podium finish by clocking 20.02 seconds. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek secured fifth place with a time of 20.07 seconds, just ahead of Canada’s Olympic champion Andre De Grasse, who finished in 20.14 seconds.
Lyles’s determination was evident from the start as he blazed through the initial 100 meters in 10.26 seconds, closely followed by Knighton at 10.28 seconds and Tebogo at 10.32 seconds—a sequence that remained unaltered throughout the race.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Noah Lyles on winning 3rd 200 m Title at Budapest
Reflecting on his achievement, Lyles shared, “It’s an incredible feeling to accomplish something that few have. I’ve always aimed to stand out and achieve the extraordinary. Winning double golds was a goal I set for myself, and today I’ve proven I’m capable of it. I proudly claim the title of double champion.”
He also expressed gratitude for the support from none other than Usain Bolt: “Having Usain Bolt acknowledge my efforts and express his respect means the world to me. It’s truly amazing.”
As the championships continue, Noah Lyles has his eyes set on the 4x100m relay, eagerly anticipating the chance to contribute to Team USA’s success once again.
Knighton, who upgraded from last year’s bronze to this year’s silver, drew confidence from his performance, stating, “Securing silver this time around is a big step up from my bronze last year. I ran my race and although I didn’t win, I’m taking home the silver, and I can’t complain. This experience will boost my confidence significantly.”
Tebogo, the bronze medalist, expressed his satisfaction, noting, “This bronze is an unexpected bonus for me. My primary focus was on testing my endurance after rounds of fast running. The result indicates I’m on the right track. The enthusiastic stadium crowd motivated me to push harder. This achievement is not just about me, but about my nation and the continent.”
Noah Lyles entered the arena with the vigor of a lion, channeling his energy with a theatrical roar, and exited in similar fashion, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sprinting. His triumph serves as an inspiration to both his contemporaries and aspiring athletes worldwide.
