Noah Lyles breaks Michael Johnson’s American record in 200 meters to win gold at world championships – Capital Gazette

EUGENE, Ore. — Noah Lyles crouched down, put his arms on his knees and glared on the clock. Not seeing what he’d hoped for, he waved his hand dismissively and walked again towards the observe to rejoice what was nonetheless a long-awaited win Thursday within the 200 meters on the world championships.

Oh, however this evening would simply maintain getting higher.

The clock that, for a second, learn “19.32,” would regulate down a tick to “19.31.” That meant he broke Michael Johnson’s hallowed, 26-year-old American file — a mark that, for many years, appeared unreachable.

After which, the scoreboard that, at first, solely had Lyles’ title on it, popped up with the names of the 2 finishers behind him. Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton of the U.S. The People swept the 200, simply as that they had the 100 4 nights earlier.

Lyles pounded his hand on the observe 4 occasions, stood up straight and ripped off his jersey. He grabbed his medal from the presenter, then went over and hugged his household and grabbed an American flag — one among many which have been wanted at these championships on residence turf. The sweep gave the U.S. 22 medals via seven days.

Lyles’ 19.31 was the third-fastest time in historical past, behind solely Usain Bolt’s 19.19 in 2009 and a 19.26 run two years later by one other Jamaican. Yohan Blake, whereas he was briefly pushing Bolt for supremacy.

However Michael Johnson and people gold sneakers he wore to run his 19.32 on the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 have a reasonably large place in observe historical past, too.

“I noticed the time pop up and noticed I tied Michael Johnson’s file,” Lyles mentioned. “I used to be like ‘Actually, you’re going to do me like that?’ Then, that quantity modified from two to a one and my entire world modified.”

His victory got here moments after Shericka Jackson gave the Jamaican girls one other gold within the sprints. She ran 21.45, the second-fastest time in historical past, to beat 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Solely defending champion Dina Asher-Smith of Britain, who received bronze, prevented a back-to-back Jamaican sweep.

Jackson’s time is shy solely of the 21.34 run by Florence Griffith-Joyner on the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Whereas the Jamaican medalists have been the identical as 4 nights in the past — Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who received bronze within the 100 completed seventh on this one — the People put a very completely different trio on the stand.

Fred Kerley, Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Bromell dominated the 100. This time, it was Lyles, Bednarek, the Olympic silver medalist, and Knighton, who’s now the youngest particular person dash medalist in worlds observe historical past.

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Knighton’s 19.49 earlier this yr made him a slight favourite on this race and arrange what was being touted as a rivalry of kinds with Lyles. It was the 25-year-old Lyles who beat Knighton to the road final month at nationals and waved his finger as he crossed — a not-so-subtle message that he wasn’t giving in to his youthful rival.

However Lyles could be the primary to concede that his greatest competitors has been himself over the previous few years. As soon as, he was seen as observe’s resolution to its Bolt drawback — specifically, what to do with out an outsized character to seize eyeballs.

However the pandemic hit. Lyles, who considers himself an entertainer at coronary heart, suffered at touring alone and competing in entrance of empty seats. He was unflinching about his mental-health struggles and the way tough it was to not have the ability to compete alongside his brother, Josephus, who’s on the U.S. relay pool this week.

However this week, the crowds have been again and the journey to Oregon was simple. Lyles mentioned he felt extra “me” than he had shortly.

Then, he got here out and ran prefer it.

Although the time says it finest, the race Lyles ran was a magnificence. Arms pumping machine-like, he hugged the within line of Lane 6 as he rounded the curve. When he hit the straightaway, two physique lengths separated him and Bednarek in Lane 5. Lyles received the race by three full footsteps.

As a part of his postrace celebration, he dropped to each knees and put his arms collectively as if to wish. A second later, the scoreboard began doing his factor. The crimson and blue jersey was shredded, and shortly Lyles had his medal — gold, which matched the colour of his hair.