Noah Lyles wins US Championships 100m in world-leading 9.79 seconds
Olympic champion Noah Lyles has clocked a world-leading time of 9.79 seconds to secure victory in the 100m at the US athletics championships in New York.
The 29-year-old American delivered a flawless performance at Icahn Stadium to match the exact personal best he set when winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
His blistering run surpassed the previous global standard for the 2026 season, eclipsing the 9.82 seconds established by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in June.
Maintaining dominance in an off year
Lyles was quick to assert his authority on the track following his commanding performance against a stellar domestic field.
“I think I made that ‘I’m still the world’s fastest man’ statement,” said the reigning Olympic champion.
Ronnie Baker and Kenny Bednarek both crossed the line in 9.88 seconds to finish second and third respectively.
Former world champion Christian Coleman was forced to settle for fourth place after recording a time of 9.93 seconds.
“Just because it is an off year doesn’t mean that I plan to run slow,” Lyles added regarding the absence of major global championships this season.
“This is me being me and being me is dominant, being consistent.”
Richardson secures women’s title
In the women’s event, Sha’Carri Richardson demonstrated her enduring class by storming to victory in 10.77 seconds.
The 2023 world champion has faced significant challenges off the track but produced a composed run to secure the national crown.
“It just feels phenomenal to be back in a better place, just healthy mentally, physically and emotionally,” the American sprinter explained.
“Everything me and coach have been working on, it’s starting to show consistently.”