American sprint star Noah Lyles made a sensational return to the 200m track, edging out Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo to claim victory at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday night.
Lyles, competing in his season opener over the distance and his first 200m race since the Tokyo Olympic Games, clocked 19.88 seconds (-0.8 m/s) to seal the win.
Final Results
- Noah Lyles (USA) – 19.88 (SB)
- Letsile Tebogo (BOT) – 19.97
- Makanakaishe Charamba (ZIM) – 19.99
- Alexander Ogando (DOM) – 20.01
- Xavi Mo-Ajok (NED) – 20.34 (.331)
- Jereem Richards (TTO) – 20.34 (.332)
- Timothé Mumenthaler (SUI) – 20.40
- Téo Andant (FRA) – 20.69 (PB)
The 27-year-old, who has battled injuries since last season, reminded the world of his sprinting prowess with a composed and powerful run on the Stade Louis II track, a venue where he has enjoyed multiple victories in the past.
Tebogo, one of the rising forces in world sprinting, settled for second place in 19.97 seconds, while Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba impressed on his Diamond League debut, finishing third in 19.99 seconds.
It was a fitting comeback for Lyles, who had been sidelined by an ankle injury for much of the season. Friday’s race marked his fourth career appearance in Monaco, where he previously claimed victories in 2019 (19.65), 2020 (19.76), and 2022 (19.46).
The reigning world champion in both the 100m and 200m, and Olympic 100m gold medallist, showed that he remains a formidable force in the build-up to September’s World Championships in Tokyo.
Lyles will next test his speed over the 100m at the London Diamond League next week in what promises to be another blockbuster showdown as athletes continue sharpening their form ahead of the global championships.
