American sprinter Noah Lyles 200m dominance continued at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Friday, as he captured his fourth consecutive world title in the event to equal Usain Bolt’s historic record. The 28-year-old athlete crossed the finish line in 19.52 seconds, defeating teammate Kenny Bednarek by just 0.06 seconds in one of the most competitive 200-meter finals in championship history.
Lyles’ victory marks a remarkable achievement in track and field, placing him alongside legendary sprinters Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson as the only men to win four or more consecutive world titles in the same event. The American star overcame a slow start to surge past the field in the final 50 meters, demonstrating the exceptional finishing speed that has made him the world’s premier 200-meter runner.
Record-Breaking Performance of Noah Lyles in Tokyo
The race unfolded dramatically as Noah Lyles found himself behind early, with teammate Kenny Bednarek taking the initial lead out of the blocks. However, Lyles remained patient and executed his race plan perfectly, gradually building momentum through the curve before unleashing his devastating kick down the homestretch. His winning time of 19.52 seconds came after running the fastest 200-meter time of the year (19.51) in the semifinals.
The depth of the field was unprecedented, with the first four finishers separated by just 0.13 seconds. For the first time in World Championships history, three men broke 19.70 seconds in the same race, and five competitors finished under 19.80 seconds. Jamaica’s Bryan Levell claimed bronze in third place, while defending Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana finished fourth.
Noah Lyles Redemption After Olympic Disappointment
This victory represents significant redemption for Lyles, who struggled with his mental health during the COVID-affected Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and could only manage a bronze medal. Speaking after his triumph, Lyles reflected on how different this experience felt compared to his previous visit to Japan’s National Stadium.
“I don’t have good memories from Tokyo in 2021. At that time, I was depressed, but this time I am energised,” Noah Lyles said. “I love what I do, and I am happy. I have the best support staff and the best crowd I could have ever asked for. This is amazing and such a joyous moment I am going to keep with me forever.”
The American sprinter also set his sights on future achievements, declaring his intention to become the only man to win five consecutive world 200-meter titles when the next World Championships take place in Beijing in 2027. His dominance at the World Championships stands in contrast to his Olympic record, where he has yet to claim gold in his signature event despite his consistent global success.
Lyles’ victory continues America’s strong showing at the Tokyo World Championships, with the sprint events proving particularly successful for Team USA. The win also maintains his perfect record at World Championships in the 200 meters, having never lost the event at this level since his first title in Doha in 2019.