Another controversy between Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley? Well, this time, the six-time world champion did not say anything. He is rather maintaining silence on the Kerley issue. Last time, in Sprint season two, the latter spewed many adjectives on Lyles. He called out Lyles’s personality as ‘arrogant’ and ‘cocky’. Did Noah respond to that? He, in fact, tried to ignore it with his trademark smirking. But this time, Kerley has come out all guns blazing, taking his compatriot’s name. Will it turn into a massive controversy? Only time will tell. But what happened in the first place? 

On December 18, The Lap Count released a list of possible mouth-watering matchups in track and field sports. As per the website, these matchups might turn into reality in the upcoming track and field season. Who knows! Well, the fans wouldn’t mind seeing those encounters take place. But Fred Kerley has one or two issues with the list. What are those? 

In the predicted list, the raconteurs highlighted a 400-meter event. Nothing is new about that. But as per them, both Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley might lock horns in that event. What an imagination, though! Both sprinters have yet to encounter each other at such an event. And Kerley thinks that streak might continue. Any reason to think like that? 

On December 19, the former world champion penned a sharp reply to stop such predictions. In his post, Kerley mentioned, “Bro that not even a match up in no 400m stop disrespecting me. You can at least say someone in the top 10 of the 400m.” Those words might not carry a sweet vibe to Noah. The 27-year-old Olympic champion may not be someone from the top ten sprinters of the 400m. But he is a force to reckon with. Proof?

In the recent short course events, Noah has plenty of results, performing way better than Fred. In recent times, the duo came in front of each other in the Paris Olympics, huddling to get the top podium. However, in the men’s 100m final, Lyles stood to be the ultimate boss, defeating everyone to claim the gold. And what about Kerley? He remained just 0.02 seconds slower and clinched the bronze medal. But bigger lenses may present a different picture altogether. 

Since the US Olympic trials in 2021, the duo has faced each other 6 times so far in the 100m event. Well, Noah has two victories to his name so far. Kerley, on the other hand, has the rest of the matches. Not just the 100m events; Kerley has had better results in the 400m events. How?

Noah Lyles’s best performance at the 400m event came in 2016. He took 47.04 seconds to complete his race. Now, guys, Kerley’s timing might give goosebumps. In 2019, he took 43.64 seconds to complete the event. Moreover, in 2019, he claimed the bronze medal at the 400m event at the World Athletics Championships. Kerley also has laurels from the Diamond League, National Championships, and the World Indoor Championships. Does Noah possess a similar standing? Certainly not. But he has been vocal about entering more sprint events. Remember his words after the World Athletics Indoor Championships this year? 

Noah Lyles was desperate to prove his versatility in track 

“Truthfully, I believe that everything I’ve proved today is really how good a shape I’m in and how versatile I’m able to be when it comes to just being a sprinter,” Noah Lyles just said after completing his 400m leg in the 4x400m relay in the World Athletics Indoor Championship in Glasgow this year. It was the event’s final, and Noah helped the Team USA squad claim the silver medal in the event. His timing of 45.68 seconds proved to be the fastest third-leg split in the final. But it was enough to earn a score of accolades. Additionally, it was the third time in his career Noah competed in the men’s 400m event. 

And Noah Lyles launched superbly! He looked confident to set a few better timings for the event. But a chance has yet to come to him. After the indoor season, Noah Lyles didn’t compete in any 400 events. Will that see a change soon? You can bet on it. Things might take a different turn as the indoor season is on the cards. Will it make him go overboard on Fred Kerley? What do you think?