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The American sprinter is preparing for the showdown in Budapest in a unique way as he bids to silence Omanyala and co in the 100m
World 200m champion Noah Lyles is preparing for what is set to be a busy World Championships in a unique way.
Lyles will feature in his specialty of 200m, where he is seeking to defend his title, 4x10mm relay with the US team, and has added the 100m to his schedule, meaning he will have a busy eight days at the global event set to take place in Budapest, Hungary from August 19-27.
In the 100m, Lyles will come up against countryman and defending champion Fred Kerley, Cravont Charleston and 2019 100m world champion Christian Coleman, both from the US, the world’s fastest 100m this year (9.83) Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain, as well as the African contingent of Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, Akani Simbine (South Africa) and 20-year-old Letsile Tebogo from Botswana.
But first, Lyles will visit his 16-year-old nail technician in Clermont, Florida, for a unique design and once in Hungary, he plans to unveil an aerodynamic hairstyle and then a special post-race celebration with friends and family.
“There is what I will accept, and then there’s what my greatest expectation is,” Lyles, who is bidding to become the third person to win three consecutive world 200m titles after Allyson Felix and Usain Bolt (who four-peated), told NBC.
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15:00 - 01.08.2023
ATHLETICS: ‘I enjoy talking s**t to other people’ - Omanyala’s track rival stocks up the fires ahead of Budapest showdown
The American sprinter has put Omanyala and co on notice as the countdown to the World Championships begins
“What I will accept is grabbing a medal in the 100m, whatever colour, and winning the 200m. My greatest aspiration is that I will grab three golds, gain a world record in the 200m.”
Lyles has featured sparingly in the Diamond League this season, winning the 100m in Paris in June in a time of 9.97, ahead of Omanyala 9.98 and Tebogo 10.05, before claiming the 200m in London last month when he clocked 19.47 ahead of the Botswanan with Hughes completing the podium in 19.73.
Lyles wasn’t so confident going into his last pre-worlds race two weeks ago. His training times in muggy Central Florida were not, as he likes to say, “Noah approved.”
He then flew to a meet in London, where he met his coach, Lance Brauman, who had gone to Europe earlier with other sprinters.
Lyles expressed to Brauman his discouragement with recent practices. Brauman allayed him and predicted that he would run 19.5 seconds at the meet.
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14:00 - 07.08.2023
Double threat for Omanyala as Noah Lyles makes his intentions clear ahead of Budapest clash
Omanyala will be bidding to become the first African to medal at the World Championships but day-by-day tough opposition arises.
Lyles, 26, had been that fast before a global championship just once in his career. So, he was skeptical, but he trusted his coach of seven years.
“That put me in the right headspace,” he said.
While the 200m might be his cup of tea, the 100m will be a different ball game but he remains confident nonetheless.
“In the public’s eye, there is not a big favourite. In my eyes, this is the perfect race for me to win,” he added.
With this kind of confidence, fans will hope to see the nail design, hairstyle and celebration more often in Budapest.
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