It was revenge for American sprinter Noah Lyles as he shrugged off the disappointment at the Paris Olympics to clinch Gold in 200m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
The 100m Olympic champion held off competition from compatriot Kenneth Bednarek (19.58s) and Jamaica’s Bryan Levell (19.64s) to win the final race in a time of 19.52s.
It was one to remember for the American after ill-health affected his performance in the Olympics 200m final in his pursuit of a sprint double at the Games.
With a line-up of the world’s fastest 200m athletes including three Africans, the stage was set for a showdown.
Olympic Champion Letsile Tebogo, who had been disqualified in the 100m final despite a Season Best performance in the semi-final race, failed to medal as he finished fourth with another Season Best performance of 19.65s.
The two other Africans – Zimbabwe’s Tapi Makarawu (20.12) and South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile (20.23) – finished 7th and 8th respectively.
In 5th was Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (19.78) while Alexander Ogando of Dominican Republic finished 6th in 20.01s.
It was joy for Lyles, who had to settle for Bronze in the 100m.
By Friday’s win, the American becomes the second athlete after world record holder Usain Bolt to win the 200m at the worlds four times in a row.
