Noah Lyles Sets American 200 Meter Record En Route To World Title
On Thursday night (July 21), Noah Lyles broke Michael Johnson’s national record to repeat as world champion in the men’s 200-meter dash.
Crossing the line in 19.31, the 25-year-old Lyles shattered his previous personal best of 19.50 and nudged out Johnson’s best in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta by one hundredth of a second.
Lyles also led the U.S. to its second sprint sweep in the last six days at World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore. Kenny Bednarek, the reigning Olympic silver medalist, came in second in 19.77, and 18-year-old Erriyon Knighton came close behind him for bronze with a 19.80.
After the race, Lyles was greeted on the track by Johnson, which caught the new record holder by surprise. It was also the first time the two had met in person, according to USA Today.
The 200 meter sweep by the American men came just days after they swept the 100 meter as Fred Kerley, Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Bromell finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. It’s the first time the U.S. has swept both events at the same world championship.
See what went down below.
