A rocket. American Noah Lyles retained his world title in the 200m on Thursday in Eugene by becoming the third best performer in history over the distance in 19.31, just twelve hundredths of the world record held by Jamaican legend Usain Bolt ( 19”19). Lyles, 25, led another American hat-trick in Hayward Field, as Fred Kerley had done in the 100m on Saturday: he beat Kenny Bednarek (19”77) and the very young Erriyon Knighton (19”80) , 18 years old only.
Only Bolt, twice, and another Jamaican, Yohan Blake (19”26), have now run faster than Lyles on the half-lap. “I ran so fast. I was really hoping it would be a fast lap, but when I saw this lap, I thought, seriously? “, was surprised the now double world champion, who tore his jersey after crossing the finish line.
“I did it in front of my whole family, my mother is in the stands, I’m super proud! “, Appreciated the 2021 Olympic bronze medalist. The American is now ahead of his compatriot Michael Johnson on the shelves. Far from being insignificant in the United States, where the “Loco de Waco”, author of a fabulous double 200-400 during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, is a living God.
Erriyon Knighton, future star (and world record holder?)
“I was waiting for the timer, I first saw 19”32. But I didn’t want to share the time with Michael Johnson, Lyles said. I was praying for that to change. And the clock was corrected, the crowd screamed. I looked at the giant screen, 31, I was crazy! Michael Johnson congratulated me. I was in shock, I had exchanged with him on Twitter but I had never met him in person. It was the meeting of two generations. He just congratulated me on my good job and my career. »
By the way, remember this name: Erriyon Knighton. The young American, who made an impression by running in 19”49 a few months ago at only 18 years old, faster than Bolt at the same age, climbs on his first world podium, a year after finishing at the foot of the podium Olympic. What if Bolt’s 19”19 were beaten one day?