On Sunday, simply moments earlier than U.S. 200m world champion Noah Lyles ran the third-fastest 200m time of his younger profession to assert victory on the London Diamond League, he performed with the sold-out crowd of 65,000 at London Stadium on the again straightaway, emulating the well-known Freddie Mercury “Ayy-Oh” from Stay-Help in 1985 to get folks concerned earlier than his race started.
In a pre-race press convention, Lyles confidently advised reporters that if he might get out quick, he was not going to lose. True to his phrase, Lyles exploded out of the blocks and blazed to a world-leading time of 19.47 seconds, marking the tenth-fastest time in historical past. His unimaginable efficiency broke Usain Bolt’s assembly file of 19.76 from 2008 and in addition surpassed Bolt for essentially the most 200m races run in below 20 seconds, attaining this feat for the thirty fifth time.
Since Bolt departed from monitor and subject in 2017, curiosity within the sport, significantly sprinting, has skilled a decline, in search of a brand new identification. Bolt was a once-in-a-generation expertise who at all times exuded charisma on and off the monitor. He captivated audiences along with his pre-race antics and delivered mesmerizing world file instances, showcasing his unparalleled velocity. As Canadians, we could are inclined to rival U.S. athletes (generally), nevertheless it’s arduous to not root for Lyles, who not solely talks the discuss but additionally walks the stroll and is undoubtedly making a optimistic impression on the game of monitor and subject.
Massive character
One factor Noah Lyles definitely doesn’t lack is confidence, and he isn’t afraid to let the world know. Shortly after his jaw-dropping world-leading efficiency on the London Diamond League, he took to Twitter and boldly declared, “19.47 seconds and that was simply the warning shot.” It’s clear he’s setting the stage for the 2023 World Athletics Championships, and followers are eagerly awaiting what he has in retailer. Lyles’s shameless self-assurance resonates with followers as he fearlessly units audacious objectives after which proceeds to again up his discuss with lightning-fast instances on the monitor, conserving the thrill and dialog alive in athletics.
“The 200m is mine. You guys can have second.”
– Noah Lyles 😤 pic.twitter.com/3Fys6491PV
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) July 23, 2023
On the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Lyles ran a record-setting 19.31 seconds to win gold, break the American file and clock the third-fastest 200m time in historical past behind Jamaica’s Bolt and Yohan Blake. Lyles ripped off his singlet in pleasure, celebration and disbelief, surpassing Michael Johnson’s long-standing file of 19.32 seconds on residence soil.
Respect for competitors
Regardless of his confidence, Lyles can also be a fan of the game and holds loads of respect for different athletes and sprinters. Throughout the pre-race press convention with British sprinter Zharnel Hughes on the London Diamond League, Hughes was requested whether or not he would goal the British 200m file. When Hughes expressed uncertainty, Lyles, sitting alongside him, inquired in regards to the mark after which referenced Hughes’s exceptional 100m victory on the latest British Nationwide Championships, saying, “Why are you being so modest? You simply gained within the rain, man, within the hurricane. We will get that (file).”
After Lyles gained the 200m occasion, he instantly went over to Hughes’ lane, and collectively they anxiously watched the outcomes are available in. The second Lyles noticed the time of 19.73 seconds, confirming Hughes’ new nationwide file, he exclaimed, “You freaking did it.”
19.47!!!!
🇺🇸 NOAH LYLES MR WL 🔥
🥈19.50 Letsile Tebogo 🇧🇼 AR PB
🥉19.73 Zharnel Hughes 🇬🇧 NR PB#WandaDL 💎#LondonDL 🏟️🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/sDcTAWXyaG— JAY 🇯🇲 (@peaceandjoy__) July 23, 2023
Look good, race good
Most athletes present as much as a monitor and subject meet in a tracksuit or athleisure put on, however Lyles has introduced NBA fashion to the game of monitor and subject. On the 2023 New Steadiness Grand Prix, the Adidas athlete confirmed up in a full leather-based Prada swimsuit, wanting like a undercover agent on a mission to tear up the monitor. A few of his different suits this season have been ice chilly, displaying as much as the 2023 U.S. Indoor Championships in a forest inexperienced tuxedo and at U.S. Outside in a customized leather-based jacket with the medals of his final three championship medals painted on the again.
I’m a believer within the look-good, feel-good mentality, and Lyles is taking this to a special degree.
Reaching new followers
Lyles has been outspoken about his fandom of anime and soccer. He has even introduced out the Tremendous Saiyan Dragon Ball Z celebration when he wins races, which he most just lately did after his win on the London Diamond League. Lyles’s skill to attach monitor and subject with popular culture and assist the game attain totally different demographics is much like the best way Bolt did along with his trademarked Lightning Bolt celebration.
The 26-year-old has additionally been vocal about his new interest of rooting for Manchester United within the Premier League (PL). He was even invited on the NBC Sports activities Premier League reside broadcast to disclose the workforce he cheered for. Though, it may very well be a coincidence that Lyles roots for a similar workforce as Bolt, which occurs to be the most-followed PL workforce on Fb and Instagram.
Eagerness to face the very best
Lyles has proven no hesitation in going through competitors. All through this season, he has raced 13 instances and infrequently stepped outdoors his consolation zone to work on his block begin and velocity over 100m. Notably, it has been 11 years since an Olympic and world champion have competed towards one another within the males’s 100m. Nonetheless, Lyles, the reigning world 200m champion, embraces the problem of his competitors and has already confronted prime sprinters like Erriyon Knighton, U20 200m world file holder Letsile Tebogo and reigning 100m world champion Fred Kerley this season.
Along with these matchups, Lyles has additionally expressed curiosity in a rematch with Canada’s Andre De Grasse. De Grasse bested Lyles for gold on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the place Lyles took bronze. Nonetheless, on the 2022 World Athletics Championships, De Grasse selected to give attention to the 4x100m relay, leaving the door open for a future 200m showdown when each athletes are in prime kind.
