Noah Lyles wins 200m sprint at USA Athletics Championships with season’s top result

Noah Lyles edged past Kenny Bednarek to win the hotly contested 200m sprint in the world’s fastest time of the year at the USA Athletics Championships, turning to glare at Kenny Bednarek as the pair crossed the finish line.

Noah Lyles, a three-time world champion in the event, was trailing after the turn but accelerated in the final meters to cross the finish line in 19.63 sec, the fastest time in the world this season ahead of the world championships in Tokyo next month.

Kenny Bednarek, the winner of the 100m sprint, finished in 19.67 sec and then shoved Noah Lyles from behind after they finished. Noah Lyles turned angrily, his hands raised, before the two exchanged a few words and eventually shook hands.

“It was a pretty tough championship. I was tired. It was tough to come out here when you’re not 100 percent”, said Noah Lyles, who is nursing an ankle injury this season.

Noah Lyles didn’t have to compete in Eugene to qualify for Tokyo, as he already had a quota in both the 100m and 200m as the reigning champion.

Their anger spilled over into their interview with NBC trackside.

“If you have a problem, I expect a call”, said Kenny Bednarek

Noah Lyles replied, “You know what, you’re right . . . Let’s talk later”.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the women’s 200m to become the first woman to win both the 100m and 200m titles since 2003, while Olympic 200m champion Gabrielle Thomas needed a photo finish to break into the top three and secure a spot at the World Championships.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden led from the start to finish in 21.84 sec, while Anavia Battle finished in 22.13 sec for second. Gabrielle Thomas made a late charge to tie Brittany Brown for the team’s final spot in 22.20 sec. A photo finish allowed Gabrielle Thomas to beat Brittany Brown for the final spot on the team by one thousandth of a second.

Sha’Carri Richardson, who finished fourth in her semifinal heat and failed to qualify, missed the final.

Sha’Carri Richardson, who was arrested earlier this week for domestic violence at a Seattle airport, withdrew from the 100m semifinals early at the US trials but secured a spot in the sprint event for Tokyo as the reigning world champion.

Donavan Brazier made a triumphant return after nearly three years away by winning the men’s 800m. The 2019 world champion, who has spent much of that time injured, finished in 1:42.16 min, while college student Cooper Lutkenhaus broke the under-18 world record of 1:42.27 min.