Noah Lyles stands on the brink of history as he heads into the men’s 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The American sprint star is chasing a fourth consecutive world crown in the event, a feat only previously accomplished by the great Usain Bolt.
At 28, Lyles already owns Olympic 100m gold, and his chances of equaling Bolt’s record look strong after a season that has showcased both his speed and competitive fire. He leads the 2025 world rankings thanks to his blistering 19.63-second run at the US Trials, where he also matched the record of five 200m national titles held by legends Michael Johnson and Ralph Metcalfe.
That victory came with added drama as Lyles edged Kenny Bednarek by just 0.04 seconds, staring him down in the final strides before receiving a shove in retaliation from the double Olympic silver medallist. Their rivalry, dating back to Tokyo 2021 where Lyles claimed bronze behind Bednarek, will once again take center stage in the Japanese capital. Bednarek, in excellent form this season with 19.67, sits second on the world list and remains a serious threat.
Global challengers line up
But the challenge for Lyles doesn’t end at home. Botswana’s rising star Letsile Tebogo, who famously claimed Olympic gold in Paris last year while Lyles settled for third, is expected to be one of the main obstacles. Tebogo has already shown he can push Lyles to the limit, with narrow defeats at both the Monaco Diamond League and the Zurich Diamond League Final, the latter decided by just 0.02 seconds. The 22-year-old arrives in Tokyo hungry to upgrade his 2023 World Championships bronze.
Jamaica’s Bryan Levell, just 21, has also surged into the medal conversation. His 19.69 this season places him third on the global list, complementing his breakthrough in the 100m where he lowered his best to 9.82.
Southern Africa will be well represented, with Zimbabwean duo Tapiwa Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba both improving rapidly since making the Olympic final. Charamba set a national record of 19.92 before Makarawu lowered it to 19.84 in his NCAA title-winning run.
Rising stars and dark horses
The depth of the field ensures Lyles’ path to history won’t be straightforward. The Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando brings experience, while Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, a 100m world bronze medallist in 2023, has the pedigree to challenge.
Perhaps the most intriguing entrant is Australia’s 17-year-old sensation Gout Gout, who has already set an Oceanian record of 20.02 in his debut international season, hinting at extraordinary potential.
For all the challengers, the narrative in Tokyo will center on whether Noah Lyles can extend his dominance and match Usain Bolt’s historic four-title streak.
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