The men’s 100m sprint rivalry is heating up ahead of the highly anticipated World Championships in Tokyo, and this time, it’s Kishane Thompson turning up the pressure.
After clocking a world-leading time at the Jamaican National Senior Championships, Thompson made a bold statement in his post-race press conference that’s sent ripples through the track and field world
When asked about his finishing technique, particularly whether he focused on his dip at the line, Kishane Thompson responded with striking honesty:
“Dipping is not really the key part of a race, honestly. If a person is good as they are, from 0 to 100 meters, if you set yourself apart from the competition, you don’t need to dip.”
While Kishane Thompson didn’t mention names, track analysts quickly picked up on the veiled jab, with many suggesting the comments were aimed at none other than reigning Olympic and world champion Noah Lyles.
Speaking on the July 1, 2025 episode of Track World News, American sprinter Noah Williams didn’t mince words.
“I don’t know if you’ve seen his post-race interview, but he kind of took a jab at Noah. He said if you’re that much better than everyone, you shouldn’t have to dip. That’s obviously a jab.”
Lyles, who has yet to open his 100m season since capturing Olympic gold in Paris last summer, is set to make his long-awaited return at the London Athletics Meet on July 19. The Wanda Diamond League event holds fond memories for Lyles, who debuted at the London meet in 2023 with a blistering 19.47 in the 200m, before going on to win multiple global titles.
Last year, Lyles returned to London and claimed victory in the 100m with a personal best of 9.81 seconds, a mark he lowered to 9.79 to seize Olympic gold in Paris. Now, the American star is aiming for another London triumph as part of his buildup to Tokyo, where he hopes to expand his already impressive haul of four individual world titles.
“I think the whole world is waiting for Noah’s opener,” added Williams.
The American sprinter’s track record speaks for itself, having delivered world-beating performances at every major championship since 2019. Yet, the new wave of Jamaican sprinting talent, led by the hungry and healthy Thompson, signals that Lyles won’t have an easy path this season.
At just 23, Kishane Thompson has overcome the growing pains and injury setbacks of the last two years to emerge as a genuine contender.
As Williams pointed out.
“That’s scary to me… Last year was a learning year for him. There were times he tried to return quickly off injury and re-injured things. But he still got it together for the Olympic final last year.”
Now, with his confidence peaking and a world-leading time under his belt, Thompson is more than ready to challenge the established order. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown between sprinting’s current king and its fast-rising challenger.