Noah Lyles in the fast lane over Usain Bolt

Noah Lyles on record

In the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston (World Athletics Continental Tour Silver), 200-meter world bi-champion Noah Lyles clocked a world-best 2023 performance of 19.67, winning by a wide margin over European champion Zharnel Hughes, himself at the 2014 European seasonal record.

An important case, Lyles’, because the 19.67 in the Jamaican capital (in near-zero winds) represents the 33rd performance by the American under 20 seconds flat. The record for most sub-20s is now almost within sight for the Gainesville sprinter, who will tie Usain Bolt’s 34 times at the first opportunity, before surpassing the Jamaican, as is to be expected.

Among active duecentrists, behind Lyles are Kenneth Bednarek (16 times under 20.00), Andre De Grasse and Erriyon Knighton (11), who at 18 can legitimately aspire to put everyone in agreement within a five-year period, or so.