After 7 Years of Losing to Usain Bolt’s Record, Noah Lyles Posts the Perfect Finish at World Athletics Championship

For years, Jamaican legend Usain Bolt dominated athletics with his impeccable prowess on the tracks. Hence. the 37-year-old with staunch achievements in events like the World Athletic Championship and the Olympics can easily be considered the epitome of perfection in athletics. However, after his retirement in 2017, one single question remained unanswered: Who will reach the Lightning Bolt’s record and rewrite the narrative? Now, years later, the world finally received its answer.

Noah Lyles, a 26-year-old American sprinter, is paving his way to reach the pinnacle. After years of hard work and effort put into honing his skill, the Olympic medalist managed to break Usain Bolt’s record. Lyles, who is currently participating in the World Athletics Championship, took seven years to break the historic record.

Noah Lyles’ journey to reach the pinnacle

Born in 1997, Noah Lyles began his sporting journey by immersing himself in gymnastics. However, after developing an interest in track and field, the athlete made a life-altering decision and began pursuing his passion for track and field at the age of 12. With both parents having been involved in athletics during their college years, the journey became much smoother for the athlete. After recognizing his expertise in the 200m and 100m events during his time at Williams High School in Virginia, Lyles embarked on his professional career at the 2014 Youth Olympics. Since then, Noah Lyles has relied on consistency to propel himself forward in his athletic journey.

Following the lines, after turning pro in 2016, Noah Lyles began his journey of breaking Bolt’s 200m world record. And two World Athletics Championships and one Olympic medal later in 2023, Noah Lyles finally became the man who broke Usain Bolt’s record. On July 23rd, at the London Diamond League event, Lyles shattered the record for the highest number of 200-meter races completed in under 20 seconds, accomplishing an impressive feat of 35 sprints within that time frame. Seven years after chasing the record, in an interview with the Olympics News, he said, “I said it was going to be fast. The 200 will always be mine.”

Lyles, who grew up watching Jamaicans dominate world athletics, had promised himself, “When I get there, I want to make sure the USA is dominating again.” True to his word, the athlete brought back the grandeur of America by sealing his record-breaking win at the Diamond League with gold at the World Athletics Championship.

Noah Lyles seals off his season at the World Athletics Championship

After achieving what seems impossible, Noah Lyles has no plans to stop. On August 20, the second day of the World Athletics Championship, Lyles, with an electrifying performance, won the men’s 100m final in 9.83 seconds.

The athlete surpassed Letsile Tebogo and Zharnel Hughes to clinch his well-deserved gold. Now, after sealing his season the best way possible, Noah Lyles is still striving to raise the bar. This time, the athlete is looking forward to breaking Usain Bolt’s record of 19.19 seconds.

Also read:Despite Getting His Record Shattered by Young American Athlete, Old Feat of Track Legend Usain Bolt Remains Prominent

While it took Lyles a span of seven years to surpass Bolt’s record, this extended period provided the athlete with ample time to hone his skills, present his optimal performance, and demonstrate his full potential to the world. So, no matter the outcome in the 200m, Noah Lyles has already etched his name in the heavy tome of track and field.

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