Noah Lyles proves he’s still the man to beat.
Praises Pour In for Noah Lyles on Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
American sprint star Noah Lyles stole the spotlight at the US Track and Field Championships on Sunday, clinching his fifth national 200-meter title with a world-leading time of 19.63 seconds.
The thrilling finish, coupled with his confident showmanship, sparked a wave of admiration online and a touch of on-track tension.
Lyles, 28, shared his winning moment with fans on Instagram shortly after the race.
“5x USATF 200m Champion 🏆 19.63s for 1st place 🥇 Proud of the work. Focused on what’s ahead…” he wrote, drawing hundreds of comments from supporters.
“🔥🔥🔥🔥 Let’s go champ,” one fan cheered.
“That’s the true world champion!!! 🔥🔥🔥,” another declared.
“Excellent race! Show them who you are!! ❤️🔥,” another wrote.
An admirer celebrated his comeback by saying, “Wow, what a come back.”
Someone else described him as “an incredible finisher🔥🔥🔥.”
“Didn’t you see it coming? It’s Noah Lyles the best🔥💪🏾🔥” a supporter gushed.
One fan summed it up by calling him “the true world champion!!! 🔥🔥🔥.”
Noah Lyles’ Dramatic Finish Over Kenny Bednarek
Lyles’ victory did not come easy. At the curve, Kenny Bednarek surged ahead, holding a slim lead as they entered the final straight. With just 10 meters to go, Lyles caught up, overtook Bednarek and in a moment that drew as much attention as the win itself, turned to stare him down while crossing the finish line.
The move drew a shove from Bednarek moments later. Although the two eventually shook hands, Bednarek was blunt in his reaction.
This latest win solidifies Lyles’ dominance in the 200 meters — an event in which he is both the defending world champion and Olympic champion in the 100 meters. Still, the back-and-forth with Bednarek has added a new edge to the rivalry.
Bednarek, who has beaten Lyles in past major meets, vowed that he would be ready for a rematch at the World Championships in Tokyo on Sept. 19.
For Lyles, the victory was also a personal milestone after bouncing back from an April injury that kept him off the track until June.
What’s Next for Lyles
With his fifth national 200-meter crown secured, Lyles now turns his attention to the upcoming World Championships. If Sunday’s performance is any indication, the defending champion will be a heavy favorite to extend his dominance on the global stage.
Whether the rivalry with Bednarek continues to heat up or cool down, one thing is certain: Lyles has the speed, the titles and the personality to keep fans and competitors watching closely.
Related: U.S. Sprinter Noah Lyles Involved in Big Career Announcement
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
