“I Thank This Man”: Noah Lyles Opens Up About Beating Christian Coleman for the First Time

The current American track and field raconteurs spent a sizable chunk of time discussing the rivalry between Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman. Both the sprinting giants solidified themselves in their favorite sprinting events, bowing to no one, almost. But when the situation came to decide who was the best against each other, the discussion jumbled a little. Former World champion Justin Gatlin had something to add to this burning question.

“Two athletes who live for the moment. They rise to the occasion, they give their best, especially when they go against each other”, the veteran embellished in his podcast. The world got a glimpse of these ‘best’s in the 60m of the USATF indoor championship, once again after 2022. As Noah stood atop the podium beating Coleman, his humility and regard toward his arch-rival was unmissable.

The unheard reverence Noah Lyles holds for his national counterpart 

The raging opposition between Lyles and Coleman seemed to cool down after the race. Rather, the 100m world champion could only speak about the positiveness, growing from their shared competition in these years. “I dream of the day that my 60 got faster. I come out here every year, trying to get faster and faster and faster. And, to be honest, if I hadn’t faced Christian so many times, I couldn’t boost my confidence enough to say, I’m ready to come out here and take on everybody,” Noah Lyles claimed after the event to NBC’s host. “I thank this man, truly, because he is who he is”, the victorious sprinter attested. 

Eventually, this year, the 26-year-old world champion achieved his best 60m timing in Boston, before coming to Albuquerque. But this day, he bested that result by clocking 6.43. On the other hand, Christian Coleman improved his clocking as well, from his last appearance in the Millrose Games this year. So, eventually, Justin Gatlin’s assumption on the prized fight was pretty much in place. However, the respect-filled occasion didn’t go unanswered by Christian Coleman. 

The camaraderie flies higher, even higher than all the contests 

Noah Lyles’s excitation in the Albuquerque Convention Center was pretty much expected. But the revelry touched Christian Coleman as well, who had his first 60m defeat to Noah today. “Oh man, of course you know you don’t like to lose at all, but it’s always respect and love. And just keep working. We’ll do that world”, was Coleman’s version. However, jointly, both these sprinters brought much merriment to the Stars and Stripes previously. 

Read more: Noah Lyles Makes Bold Promise 2 Days Ahead New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

That part sneaked into Noah Lyles’s confession as well. In that post-match interview, he boasted, “We’re the best in the world. World domination. Ain’t got nothing to be said. USA is the best in the country. Best in the world. We’re going to make sure that everybody knows that we’re real-world champions.” That world should note it. 

Watch this story: Noah Lyles Eyeing on Shattering Another Record of Usain Bolt After Breaking the Sprinting Legend’s Record in Seven Years