“They told me it was impossible.” Who challenged the fastest man on the planet?
Batraz Tomaev August 21, 2023, 19:10 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
American Noah Liles vowed to break Usain Bolt’s record. Will he be able to answer for his words?
Noah Lyles is the new king of the 100m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. Before the start of the tournament, he promised to show phenomenal results not only in the 100 meters, but also in the distance twice as long, and break the record of the brilliant Usain Bolt. They even made a documentary about this guy.
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This series is called “In Search of Lightning.” In one of the episodes of this series, Lyles, who braided lightning bolt pigtails at the nape of his neck, met Bolt himself in Jamaica. And the fastest man in history told an American: “Just be yourself.”
And it’s still hard to escape comparisons when you set yourself the goal of beating the world record of Usain Bolt himself. Every sprinter who wins a world championship or simply posts very fast seconds is being looked at through the lens of whether or not he can set his sights on the achievements of the Jamaican genius.
Liles is one of those guys. He spent seven years to become the world champion in the 100 meters. Final result in 9.83 s. It’s not amazing, but it’s Liles’ personal best. And most importantly – this is the result, that no one else could run faster in Budapest.
noah lyles
Photo: Noah Liles social networks
A week before the start of the World Championships, Lyles posted a photo on his social networks, in which he wrote: “I will run for 9.65 and 19.10.” And at the signing he stressed that he is the same guy who loves the screams of haters. He runs in 9.65 seconds. it was unsuccessful. But Noah set his own personal best and then yelled into the camera: “I was told this was impossible. They told me I wasn’t the one. But I thank God for who I am.”
It was seven years ago that Lyles was talked about, when he was proclaimed U-20 world champion, and two years later he won the US adult championship. Noah was better at running the 200m. He became a two-time world champion at this distance. And his personal record in the 200-meter race is 19.31 s. Only Bolt ran faster. And only for 0.12 s.
noah lyles
Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images
Perhaps, of all the American speedsters, Lyles is best suited to be molded after a true superstar. He has no history of doping, nor scandalous trace of any statement. Noah just needs one more great result. After all, he had already caught up with Bolt on one gauge: both had run 200m faster than 20s 34 times in their careers.
The 200m final will take place on August 25. And it is on this day that Noah Liles may become the first athlete after Bolt to perform at the 100 and 200 m at the same world championships.
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