Who can not recognize Noah Lyles in the current scenario? While his standout performances are crucial in that, the media frenzy forms the other part of it. The birthday boy (today is Noah Lyles’ birthday!) has become eye candy for a chunk of media houses in the last few years. His comments and theatrics have attracted ample attention. However, if someone is asked about Noah Lyles’ biggest rival, the answer might not be easy. Not just that, the media hype has taken up a sizeable part of most athletes’ schedules. Now, Kishane Thompson wants to change this. 

The 23-year-old Jamaican has registered the world-leading timing in the 100-meter (9.77 seconds) this year in his third appearance on the track. He wants to continue that, staying far away from the media’s touch. In a recent conversation with track and field connoisseur, Fitz Dunk, Kishane Thompson clarified that presently his aim is track only. When he was asked about the media hype, he continued, “Those are like, one would say, side quests or side accomplishments. Just come with the territory. My main focus is to train, stay healthy, and do what I gotta do track”. Notably, in the last few years, the sports and entertainment world has witnessed multiple documentaries on Noah Lyles. Subsequently, the media has also buzzed around him. 

Not just him, other 100-meter heavy-hitters like Lamont Marcell Jacobs, Zharnel Hughes, and Ferdinand Omanyala have earned media attention with no breaks. The trio has been featured together in the latest Netflix docuseries, Sprint (released on July 2 this year). Meanwhile, in the same presentation, Noah Lyles has shared maximum screen time, and, in contrast, Kishane Thompson has made no appearance. In fact, after registering his world-leading time on June 28 at the National Stadium, Kingston, Kishane remained opaque to appear in front of the media houses. 

Later, on July 9, the Jamaican rocket defeated the 300-meter world record holder and world championship medalist Letsile Tebogo in the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix. This time as well, he kept his timing in the sub-9 category, without breaking much in front of the media. Kishane Thompson is blazing his own trail, outshining the media frenzy surrounding Noah Lyles and others. While doing this, he has also garnered high hopes among some. 

Noah Lyles’ rival is winning hearts while decimating the norms 

Kishane Thompson can be found mostly in the track results, but in his five 100-meter encounters this year, he has already made a name for himself in the discussions. The media houses have yet to get a piece of his exclusive feature. Yet, the popular culture has been built around him through discussions. And why shouldn’t it be? With 9.77 seconds in the bag in 100 meters, he is now the fourth-fastest Jamaican of all time. Meanwhile, the list still holds Usain Bolt’s name at the top, the name Noah Lyles has been chasing and will target at the Paris Olympics as well. But, in counting chances to throttle, Rodney Green, the former Bahamian sprinter, has something to add. 

On July 4’s episode of the ‘Ready Set Go’ podcast, Green spoke highly of Kishane Thompson’s sprinting technique. “Once he gets past 60 meters, once he clears Oblique Seville, he’s looking at the clock. He’s looking directly at the clock with 40 meters to go, and maybe five meters before they come through the line, he shuts it down. That right there is scary,” he mentioned. 

Later, when it came to the fiasco Kishane faced because of the routine doping test, several fans stood beside him, ridiculing the authorities. And remember, all these are happening with almost zero appearance from him in front of the media houses. Is not it concerning for Noah Lyles and others who are the most media-friendly faces? Let us know what you think in the comments below.