Promise to Break Usain Bolt’s Record? 13 Star Sprinters Stand Ahead of Noah Lyles in 100m

Noah Lyles has become a popular name in the track and field world, whether for his dominant showing, or his rave about his prospects in major events. Placed ahead of track greats Michael Johnson and Calvin Smith at the World Athletics Championships last year, his three 200-meter gold medals are his pride. However, his World Athletics Championships achievements could only move him down the world all-time list in the 200 meters, still behind Usain Bolt.

As he approaches his peak during an Olympic year, some see his hunger while others witness the confident gait of a world-class athlete as he aims to break Usain Bolt’s records in the 100 and 200 meters. While Lightning Bolt is unfazed, Lyles has more than thirteen placeholders ahead of him in the all-time 200-meter record before he smashes Bolt’s 100m records. Is the challenge now doable or another miss for Lyles, who needs all the endurance in the world to turn his 100-meter record goal into a reality?

Noah Lyles’s world record lure crosses top contenders

The 26-year-old Lyles has his sights set on some record-breaking sprints with just 126 days until the Paris Games. Lyles told CNN, “He was the fastest man ever to do it and soon, it’ll be me.” Lyles made a name for himself as the world’s fastest man at the Budapest World Championships the previous year where he set a personal best in the 100-meter final with 9.83. Bolt’s world record time in the same distance is 9.58 which will take time and patience for Lyles to achieve.

The Florida-born athlete had to win several world championships before he could be considered the best sprinter in the world, even though according to World Athletics lists, he’s far behind at the top of the 100-meter scoreboard. Besides Bolt, America’s retired 100m champ Tyson Gay tied for the second fastest athlete along with Jamaica’s Yohan Blake. Twice record-setter Jamaica’s Asafa Powell is followed by America’s Justin Gatlin at fourth.

A string of American sprinters share the sixth spot, including Christian Coleman, Trayvon Bromell, and Fred Kerley. Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala takes ninth place following Jamaica’s Nesta Carter at tenth. America’s Maurice Greene took the eleventh place, Jamaica’s Steve Mullings tied with Marcell Jacobs at twelfth and Richard Thompson took the fourteenth place.

China’s Bingtian SU (9.83), America’s Ronnie Baker (9.83), Zharnel Hughes (9.83), and Lyles (9.83) hold the crowded fifteenth spot. Comparing himself with Bolt, Lyles believes he approaches things differently. He stated, “I’m kind of more the guy who likes to assert his dominance throughout the whole year.”

Lyles’ 100-meter record set in the last two years is significant in the fiercely competitive world of athletics, where he has been a consistent speedster.

100m finish highlights

During the 2022 World Athletics Championships held in his home soil Eugene, Oregon, Lyles won bronze in the 100 meters. However, much attention was paid to surpassing Johnson’s long-standing national record of 19.32 in the 200 meters which he did by clocking 19.31. In Berlin, Germany, that same year, he ran 9.95. Lyles continued his medal rush across all distances in Budapest last year with a 9.83, clearly outperforming his 200-meter time in a rare instance.

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

Lyles embarks on an intense program to improve his natural skills, guided strategically by his coach, Lance Brauman. Lyles could be eying at four distinct disciplines, including the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, an uncharted and bold move by a sprinter who is headed to the Olympics with sky-high hopes.

Continue Reading: Noah Lyles’s Coach Makes Bold Claim for 100M at Paris Olympics 2024