Lyles and Gout Gout advance to world 200m semifinals

TOKYO: Noah Lyles’ bid to match Usain Bolt’s record of four consecutive world 200 meters titles got off to a steady start as the American safely negotiated his heat on Wednesday.
Lyles claimed bronze in Sunday’s 100m in Tokyo and immediately turning his attention to the 200m, which he called his “bread and butter.”
The American, who tops the 2025 world list with the 19.63sec he set at the US trials, won his heat in 19.99sec to lead a clutch of favorites through to Thursday’s semifinals, with the final scheduled for Friday.
“The body is feeling good and definitely waking up,” said Lyles. “The goal here was to blast through the first 100m and I got that done. Zharnel (Hughes) was showing he was ready to run, too.
“I knew I had the race under control and decided not to push too much because I still have two more runs. When I get to the final I don’t know. I guess we will have to see.”
Australia’s 17-year-old sensation Gout Gout also went through, clocking 20.23sec in his senior international debut to finish third in his heat won by Jamaican Bryan Levell in an impressive 19.84sec.

- Big dogs -

Gout Gout, who has already set an Oceanian record of 20.02sec this season, was made to work to seal the final automatic qualifying spot in his heat.
“It’s great to be out here competing on the world stage so I’m just happy to be here and I can’t wait for the semi,” said Gout Gout, often compared to Jamaican legend Bolt for his similar age group performances.
“It’s a great experience for me, running against the big dogs, it’s great to be out here and just excited for more,” he added.
Other big names progressing included Botswana’s 22-year-old Letsile Tebogo, who claimed the Olympic title in Paris last year when Lyles finished third.