Noah Lyles cemented his status as a sprinting great by winning his fourth consecutive world 200 meters gold medal in Tokyo on Friday, clocking a season-best 19.52 seconds. In a dramatic finish, Lyles surged past longtime rival Kenny Bednarek in the final meters to claim victory, matching Usain Bolt’s record of four consecutive world titles in the event. Bednarek, who led for most of the race, finished second in 19.58 seconds—adding another silver to his collection of two world and two Olympic runner-up finishes. Jamaica’s Bryan Levell earned bronze with a personal best of 19.64 seconds, edging out Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana.
Lyles, who took bronze in the 100 meters earlier in the week, entered the race determined to rewrite his memories of Tokyo—where he won Olympic bronze in an empty stadium during the pandemic-affected 2021 Games. After a delayed start to the season due to injury, he showed his returning form by running a world-leading 19.51 seconds in the semifinals. Known for his flair, Lyles debuted a new bleached hairstyle and roared defiantly at the sky when introduced on the start line. His patience and composure paid off as he overtook a fading Bednarek in the closing stages, later emphasizing the importance of staying relaxed under pressure.
The victory marks another chapter in Lyles’s rivalry with Bednarek, who once again came agonizingly close to gold but fell short in the final strides. Bednarek—who also finished fourth in the 100 meters—expressed frustration at another near-miss but vowed to analyze his performance and return stronger. For Lyles, the win reinforces his legacy as one of sprinting’s all-time greats and sets the stage for future ambitions, including a potential fifth title in 2027 and gold in the upcoming relay events.
With this win, Lyles not only equals Bolt’s record but also signals his dominance in the post-Bolt era of sprinting. As he celebrated with a victory lap alongside fellow American medalist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, the crowd’s energy underscored what Lyles described as a “joyous moment” and a redemption arc completed. For Bednarek, the search for a breakthrough gold continues, but both athletes showcased the intensity and drama that define world-class sprinting.
