Noah Lyles demonstrated his remarkable sprinting prowess by matching his personal best time of 9.83 seconds to clinch the gold medal in the 100 meters at the U.S. Eugene hosted the Olympic track & field trials. The victory reaffirmed Lyles as the fastest man in the country, particularly impressive given that hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, whom Lyles had met the day before, was watching from the stands.
Yall see my twin, Noah Lyles with 9.8! Gold 🥇 him out at the Olympics.. pic.twitter.com/gUiw7DEJxG
— Van (@vanman_1000) June 24, 2024
The race was tightly contested up to the halfway mark, but Lyles distinguished himself in the latter half, utilizing superior acceleration to overtake his competitors. Post-race, Lyles highlighted that he had focused on maintaining and building his speed beyond the 60-meter mark, which paid off as he felt each subsequent step was more powerful than the last. He expressed great satisfaction with his performance, noting that his technique felt correct and effortless.
Lyles wasn’t the only sprinter setting personal records at the event. Kenny Bednarek finished second with a personal best of 9.87 seconds, and Fred Kerley closely followed, securing third place with a time of 9.88 seconds. All three sprinters have qualified for the upcoming Paris Olympics, where they will compete for the title of the fastest man in the world.
Currently holding the world champion title in both the 100 and 200 meters, Lyles is also recognized for his strength in the 200 meters, which many consider his best event. Despite this, his recent performance in the 100 meters is a testament to his versatility and dominance on the track.
Noah Lyles wowed in the men’s 100m with a Yu-Gi-Oh! card tucked in his singlet, unveiling the Blue Eyes White Dragon and later, Exodia: The Forbidden One, considered the most powerful card.
Lyles now aims for gold in the 200m.https://t.co/J9gYQAqS6T
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 24, 2024
In the lead-up to the final, Lyles showed consistent excellence, running a 9.92 in the preliminary round and achieving a wind-aided 9.80 in the semifinal before securing the gold with his 9.83 finish. His time is the third fastest globally this year, boosting his confidence as he prepares for more challenges.
The upcoming Paris Games will mark Lyles’ second Olympic appearance, following his participation in the Tokyo Olympics where he won a bronze medal in the 200 meters. Reflecting on his previous Olympic experience, Lyles acknowledged it was challenging and is eager to improve his performance in Paris.
Noah Lyles matched his personal best of 9.83 as he secured gold – and his spot in Paris – after winning the men’s 100m final during Day Three at 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials // @GettySport pic.twitter.com/7cudU1lFBW
— Patrick Smith (@patricksmith04) June 24, 2024
Looking ahead, Lyles is set to compete in the 200 meters, where he is the clear favorite. His coach, Lance Brauman, praised Lyles’ performance at the trials, emphasizing the importance of the victory as a stepping stone towards further achievements in Paris.
As Lyles continues his preparations, his focus remains sharp, with an eye towards not just defending his titles but also setting new personal and world records. His recent performances suggest he is on track to do just that, making him one of the most watched athletes as the Paris Olympics approach.
Key Points:
i. Noah Lyles matched his personal best time of 9.83 seconds in the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, securing the gold medal.
ii. Lyles’ victory came after a tight race where his superior acceleration in the second half helped him pull ahead of his competitors.
iii. Alongside Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley also set impressive times, finishing second and third respectively, and qualifying for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
iv. The race reaffirmed Lyles’ status as a world champion in both the 100 and 200 meters, with the 200 meters considered his stronger event.
v. Lyles is preparing for his second Olympics in Paris, aiming to improve upon his bronze medal performance from the Tokyo Olympics and compete in the 200 meters.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
