Noah Lyles drops hint for Kenny Bednarek as Tom Jones Memorial approaches

Noah Lyles drops hint for Kenny Bednarek as Tom Jones Memorial approaches

Festus Chuma 15:17 - 10.04.2024

Noah Lyles aims to break records and outperform rivals in his first 100m dash of the year eyeing Usain Bolt's time.

American sprint sensation Noah Lyles is gearing up to leave his mark on the track once again this time at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida.

Following a defeat that his arch-rival, Christian Coleman, faced at the Miramar Invitational all to Kenny Bednarek eyes are now on Lyles as he prepares to dazzle the crowd with his speed in the 100m event.

Lyles, who did not compete in the recent Miramar Invitational, has turned his focus to the upcoming Tom Jones Memorial, scheduled for April 12-13.

This event holds significant importance for Lyles, marking his first 100m dash of the year.

His participation was confirmed via an enigmatic announcement on social media, simply stating, "Race Week!"

The anticipation for Lyles' performance is sky-high, especially considering his track record at the same venue.

Last year, Lyles clinched the top spot in the 100m event at the Tom Jones Memorial, beating formidable competitors including Olympic champion Andre De Grasse and Joseph Fahnbulleh, who had previously bested Lyles in this year's Florida Relays.

Lyles, a three-time world champion, has his sights set on improving his time from last year’s 9.95 seconds, with an ambitious goal to challenge Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100m event.

"This year I want to get four. And if I don’t get four, I am going after three world records," Lyles confidently stated, referencing his aspirations for the Paris Olympics and beyond.

The sprinter's optimism is not without merit. Earlier this year, Lyles secured the world-leading 60m indoor timing at the New Balance contest, showcasing his excellent form.

Lyles' attempt to break records comes after a slightly underwhelming finish in the 4x100m relay event at the Florida Relays where he faced tough competition from the likes of Coleman and Fahnbulleh. 

This year, however, Lyles is in "wonderful spirit and shape," ready to surpass his previous achievements and set new benchmarks in sprinting.

The Tom Jones Memorial stands as a crucial stepping stone towards Lyles' ambitious goals for the year making it a must-watch event for track and field fans worldwide. 

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