Noah Lyles? Wow, his career has really been like this back-and-forth dance with what folks think. I mean, he’s totally crushed it in the 200m, no doubt about that. But when it comes to the 100m, well. Let’s just say some fans have been pretty vocal about calling him inconsistent. But then, boom! The 2024 season comes along and changes the game entirely.

Check this out: he clocked a scorching 9.79 in the 100m and then followed it up with a mind-blowing 19.31 in the 200m. That’s right, folks! With those times combined—29.10 seconds—he’s now sitting pretty at third on the all-time best list for combined 100m and 200m sprinters. Crazy, right? The guy who had his fair share of doubters is now being celebrated as one of the most well-rounded sprinters ever. Talk about a comeback!

The stat that changed everything

Wow, can you believe the latest ranking just flipped everything for Noah Lyles? For the longest time, he’s been pigeonholed as a 200m guy, right? Fans and analysts have been kind of skeptical about how he’d perform in the shorter sprint. But this new stat? It really shows he’s got some serious versatility! He’s now ahead of legends like Tyson Gay and just a step behind Yohan Blake. That’s pretty impressive!

Now, if we look at Lyles’ 2024 season, it’s like a textbook example of consistency. You know, there have been a lot of skeptics out there claiming that his 100m times just didn’t measure up to what he’s been pulling off in the 200m. But then—bam!—he finishes this season in under 9.80 seconds. Wow, talk about putting the doubters in their place! The stats don’t lie—Lyles isn’t just some 200m guy who messes around in the 100m; he’s really showing that he’s a serious force to be reckoned with all around.

And this shift in how folks see him? It’s huge, not just for his own reputation but for how the whole running community looks at sprinters who can actually do it all. In a sport that loves to categorize athletes, Lyles is smashing those stereotypes, making everyone sit up and notice just how gifted he is. Isn’t that pretty amazing?

Fans react to the new Noah Lyles

The track and field community has never shied away from critiquing Lyles. But this revelation has sparked a wave of admiration—and a few surprises. One fan praised him outright, tweeting, “Lyles is highly underrated and incredibly clutch when it matters most.” This sentiment marks a sharp contrast to past criticisms, where many doubted his ability to deliver consistently in both events. Others admitted their shock, with comments like, “Can’t lie, Noah having a better overall than Tyson Gay had me a lil stumped for a little sec.” Another fan remarked, “My top 3 favorite sprinters are in this top 10 list 👍🔥😎,” adding to the growing chorus of appreciation.

Still, the conversation wasn’t without its excitement for the future. Predictions rolled in, like, “Next year Noah going 9.71 and 19.24,” signaling high hopes for what Lyles can achieve. As one commenter put it, “Many in the top 10 may yet to have hit top form! (Noah, Letsile, kungfu, Fred…) 💪🏼💪🏼.”

You know, it’s kinda wild how fans have flipped their perspective on Lyles. Like it used to be all doubts and hesitations, but now? Now, it’s full-on support as they really start to recognize his spot in the sprinting world. Noah Lyles—he’s been grinding for years, right? And honestly, this one stat could really nail down his reputation in track and field. He’s gone from being overlooked to being the star of the show. It’s not just about how fast he runs; it’s more about proving all those doubters wrong with his solid performances.

Looking ahead, it’s not really about if he’ll climb higher in those all-time rankings. The real question is, will fans keep rooting for this athlete who always seems to come through when it counts the most? That’s what’s gonna be interesting to watch.