Fastest man in American history: Noah Lyles wins 200m in emphatic fashion

Noah Lyles broke the American 200-metre record as he destroyed the field at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

Lyles ran a 19.32, which broke Michael Johnson’s 26-year-old US record by the smallest of margins.

Fellow Americans Kenneth Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton picked up the silver and bronze medals respectively to complete a clean sweep on the podium.

It completes a memorable US performance in the men’s sprints as they also achieved a 1-2-3 in Friday’s 100m, which was won by Fred Kerley.

The 25-year-old Lyles’ time was the third-quickest in history, behind Usain Bolt’s 19.19 and also Yohan Blake’s 19.26.

The race was expected to be a straight shoot-out between rivals Lyles and 18-year-old sprint sensation Knighton, but the champion blew away the field.

Lyles got off to a rapid start, before running an exceptional bend and flying down the home straight to ease to victory.

Noah LYLES