At the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, Noah Lyles won his fourth 200m world title in a row, matching Usain Bolt’s winning streak that ran from 2009 through 2015.
Finishing with a time of 19.52 seconds, Lyles edged out fellow American Kenny Bednarek who ran 19.58 and Jamaican Bryan Levell’s time of 19.64.
Coming into the event, Lyles posted the fastest time in the 200m this year with a 19.63 at the USATF Outdoor Championships in August.
After his win, Lyles spoke about his mentality that allowed to win that hard-fought race.
“I wanted it pretty bad,” Lyles said. “One, because I didn’t win the 100, then two, I wanted to rewrite a memory here in Tokyo which just wasn’t as good as it could be, and it wasn’t because of the color of the metal, it was more because of the state of my mindset, not having the crowd.”
He also shared that he would come back next year to become a five-time winner.
“This is amazing and such a joyous moment I am going to keep with me forever,” Noah explained. “today I want to win the gold medal in the relay and I can’t wait for 2027 to become the only man to win five 200 metres titles.”
Capping off an epic week, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden took home the gold medal in the 200m with a time of 21.68 seconds, the best time in the world in the last two years. She defeated Great Britain’s Amy Hunt (22.14) and Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson (22.18), two-time defending world champion.
Jefferson-Wooden won her second gold medal after winning the 100m on Sunday. She became the first American woman to win both the 100m and 200m at the world championships. The feat was previously achieved by Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2013), Silke Gladisch (1987), and Katrin Krabbe (1991).
So far this year, Jefferson-Wooden has 20 wins in 22 races, which includes a streak of 15 wins since the end of May. She’s won the 100m and 200m American titles and today has won both races at the World Championships.
Jefferson-Wooden has a chance to win another gold as a member of the 4x100m relay team this weekend.
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