Noah Lyles’ character is something that fans are eager to delve into. The athlete holds his ground while navigating the hurdles of track and field. Additionally, he actively engages on various platforms that provide opportunities for him to shine. Recall his participation in New York Fashion Week last year. Noah strutted down the runway, making a bold statement through his fashion choices. Furthermore, he refused to be overshadowed while competing against Kishane Thompson and a talented group of athletes in the men’s 100m final at the Paris Olympics. What is his secret to balancing all these aspects at once?

Gout Gout, a beginner in track sports, might find the answer to the earlier question quite useful. In fact, he posed a similar question to Noah, seeking insight into the personality shifts required to become an Olympian who is adept in every circumstance. Noah was all smiles. 

The reigning Olympic champion and Grant Holloway sat with Gout in the recent episode of Beyond The Records Podcast. To help the teenager learn from the question, Noah used the occasion to share some of his more profound personality traits, like? Lyles suggests he should “laugh sometimes.” Yes. In the conversation, Lyles suggested the teenager shed the complications and loosen himself up. But what good would it bring? 

In the meantime, Noah explained the need. He, in fact, said, “Everybody’s going to have their opinion and like you said, when you become somebody of a very high standard, everybody’s going to have opinions, whether it’s good or bad and they’re probably going to have their only preconceived notion.” And only laughing it off can keep the situation normal. That’s what Noah usually does, no? 

Since 2023, the six-time world champion has received a lot of flak because of his comments on the NBA champions. Noah isn’t ready to call them the world champions because of the absence of national flags in the league. However, several basketball stars and fans blamed the athlete for lacking knowledge of the sport. Yet he has yet to pay any heed to the criticism.

Rather, last year, in May, Lyles claimed the fiasco to be ‘funny.’ In his interaction with Dazed Digital, he went a few steps ahead and said, “Everyone was in such a tizzy!” After almost a year, the senior athlete taught the junior to be the same funny. But were there any tips related to the actual sport? 

Yes. There was. Gout Gout had a powerful urge to know about Noah Lyles’s process of handling challenges from his opponents on the track. Well, Noah kept the answer centered on himself. How… any specific example? Yes.

In his reply to Gout, Noah said, “[What] I’ve already prepared for is before the line. You know, years out, months out, weeks out, training all that is done by the time I’ve stepped on the line. Whatever I need in my tool bag to win, I got it so no matter if I got a bad start, I got a tool for that. I can fix that real quick.” Noah’s work to improve his start on the track may vouch for that fact. 

Simultaneously, Noah suggested Gout Gout add the entertainment factor to his performance on the track. And what were his actual comments? In the podcast, the three-time Olympic medalist said, “I stay patient I’ve been in races that’s helped me stay patient, you know all that so on and so forth, and then that’s how you know I keep my head so by the time I’m get on the line, I’m like, I’m just ready to be an entertainer, yeah for sure. Let me entertain. You know, let me do it. Let me get the crowd engaged.”

Who doesn’t know about Noah’s entertaining side? He was the one who emulated Goku from Dragon Ball Z on track. But what would be Gout Gout’s take on everything? Would he attempt to defeat Noah Lyles, learning the lessons from the athlete? There are chances. 

Gout Gout might use the lessons to take down Noah Lyles 

New Usain Bolt or the new Noah Lyles? What would be Gout Gout’s title on the track in the next few years? The teenager’s performance may present an insight. How? Last year, the 17-year-old Australian prodigy broke Usain Bolt’s world record for 200m set at age 16. Gout completed the race in 20.04 seconds to clinch the championship. Additionally, his time established him as the holder of the Australian senior record for the event.

So next Usain Bolt? It is too early to come to that discussion. But the budding athlete has set his mind to claim a peak. It is nothing but Noah’s position. 

In the same interaction, Gout made his target clear. He has a massive opportunity to compete in the 2025 World Athletics Championships. And if he does, he might counter Noah in any sprint events. So, in such a situation, what would be his target? Gout’s voice didn’t shake, answering this question.

He steadfastly added, “I’m trying. I’m trying to get a medal for sure or even make that final and be running up Noah or trying to, trying to chase Noah down for sure.”

Meanwhile, Noah smirked hearing the youngster’s words. He knows that another challenge is gaining pace around the corner. But this time, his challenge knows one or two things about his actual mentality.