Noah Lyles reasserted that he is the U.S. 200m king by running down 18-year-old phenom Erriyon Knighton at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.
The reigning world champion Lyles won in 19.67 seconds, celebrating moments before crossing the finish line two hundredths ahead of Knighton, who tightened up in the final meters. Lyles looked toward Knighton’s lane (and the scoreboard), smiled and pointed.
“I saw him reach his top speed, and I said mine’s faster,” Lyles told Lewis Johnson on NBC while standing next to Knighton at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Knighton, who also qualified for the world championships in three weeks, also in Eugene, then said, “Job’s not finished. It’s never finished,” and walked out of the joint interview that also included third-place Fred Kerley.
Later Sunday, Lyles clarified that the celebration was not meant to show up Knighton.
“It was for everyone who keeps counting me out just because a new player has entered the ring,” he posted on social media. “Erriyon is an incredible talent and he has proven that. But that don’t mean I’m just going to lay down and die!”
Earlier this season, Knighton clocked 19.49 to become the fourth-fastest man in history, supplanting 24-year-old Lyles, whose personal best is 19.50.
USATF OUTDOORS: Results
Sha’Carri Richardson missed the world championships team. After a shock elimination in the 100m first round on Thursday, she was eliminated in the 200m semifinals on Sunday.
NCAA champion Abby Steiner won the women’s 200m final in 21.77 seconds, bettering her fastest time in the world this year. Olympic bronze medalist Gabby Thomas was eighth, missing the team, then said she learned she had a grade two hamstring tear two weeks ago.
Daniel Roberts captur
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