‘Energised’ Lyles makes happier Tokyo memories after heartbreak

Noah Lyles’s talents include the grandstanding, the dyed orange hair, and more.

The unstoppable American won his fourth successive world title in the 200-meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Friday, overcoming a stellar field.

It contrasts sharply with his Olympic performances in the discipline, which included a bronze medal in Tokyo in 2021 and a bronze medal in Paris in the same year amid struggles with Covid.

However, Lyles removed the agonizing memories that Tokyo held to equal Usain Bolt’s title record while Lyles was still in the capital.

“I can’t wait for 2027 to be the only man to win five 200-meter titles,” Lyles said.

“Tokyo in 2021 is not one of my fond memories,” she said. I was depressed at the time, but I’m back to normal now. I’m content and enthralled by what I do.

In the semi-finals on Thursday, he had made a statement by setting the 2025 fastest time record in 19.51 seconds.

He celebrated by raising four fingers in front of the crowd after winning the final, which was just 0.01 seconds slower.

With three golds in Budapest, Lyles established himself as the dominant male sprinter at the World Championships two years prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won the Olympic 100-meter title.

Prior to the championships, Lyles promised to break Bolt’s world record by winning the 100-meter race if it meant breaking Bolt’s 200-meter record.

He won the gold, but Bolt’s record is still elusive at this time.

Kenny Bednarek, Lyles’ American teammate, had to settle for silver, his fourth medal in a row at the previous four Olympic and world championships.

A turbulent relationship between Bednarek and Lyles almost ended when Lyles nearly nearly lost his rival in the US trials, which Bednarek then shoved into his face as he defeated him for the 200-meter title.

American Jasmine Jones took silver in a personal best of 52.03 seconds, while the Dutchwoman won in 51.54 seconds. With a 53.50 national record, Emma Zapletalova claimed the bronze medal for Slovakia.

Bol claimed planning her wedding as well as taking a break after the Paris Olympics had helped her get ready for a successful season.

In July, she made the announcement that she and Belgian pole vaulter Ben Broeders were getting engaged and that their upcoming wedding was “a great distraction.”

It’s true that working hard but having a lot of rest is a good thing to do as a track and field athlete, she said.

Bol did acknowledge that she had the potential to compete with McLaughlin-Levrone, who won gold in Paris after beating her into third place.

The 25-year-old McLaughlin-Levrone said, “I most likely wouldn’t be here with the gold medal, but I really love to race her.”

The men’s triple jump, which Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo won with incredible style, was undoubtedly the most dramatic event on Friday.

With a distance of 17.55 meters, Pichardo led in the final jumps, but Andrea Dallavalle of Italy took the lead.

Dallavalle broke a massive personal best of 17.64m to take the lead, which was only fifth at the time.

Pichardo’s 200-meter jump was delayed so the triple jump could be finished, and the audience was watching as he completed it. His 200-meter jump was the best of his career this year.

The best person is who? He “roared down the camera in joy.” There was no disputable situation.