WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: NOAH LYLES SET NEW US RECORD WIN WORLD 200m TITLE

American Noah Lyles retained his world 200m title as he revved the Eugene Stadium to shatter 26 year –old national record beating other American duo of Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton.

Michael Johnson’s record in the 200m set 26 years ago obviously was up for contest with the race billed as duel between Lyles and 18 year-old sensation Knighton. But Lyles was in a class of his own powering home in 19.31 seconds.

His sensational speed was capped with classy bend running to the admiration of the spectators, that set him as the third fastest man in history behind Usain Bolt’s word record of at 19.19 seconds and fellow’s Jamaican Yohan Blake the second fastest.

Olympic silver medallist Bednarek finished in 19.77 seconds and Knighton third in 19.80 seconds. The classy performance from the Americans completes their dominance in the 100m and 200m. Simply a America clean sweep 1-2-3 with Fred Kerley winning the 100m earlier in the week.

The race had marked a showdown for Lyles and Knighton with both athletes close at pair prior to the Eugene world championship. At the American trials in June Lyles shocked Knighton to win the trials but the growing global attention marked arrival of ‘mind game’ before the World Athletics Championships.

Meanwhile, both athletes has been praised for the gallant performance as the hotly anticipated finale leaved up to the expectation.

Lyles is satisfied getting it right at the big occasion as he was not under pressure but give it 100%. That time was always going to come once! That he started the way he wanted, he was simply phenomena.

Prior to the final, his ambition has been to be a champion, “My dad [world 4x400m relay gold medllist Klevin Lyles] grew up in that era racing against Michael Johnson, and I remember the Americans sweeping everything.

“Then we had to watch the Jamaicans dominating. I said to myself, ‘when I get there I want to make sure the USA is dominating again’.” Lyles is quoted by the BBC.

While the world looks forward to near future for another scene some pundit predict it might not take long before 18 year –old  Erriyon Knighton stage a surprise over 25 year-old Naoh Lyles.