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2023 World Athletics Championships

Noah Lyles First To Claim Sprint Double Since Usain Bolt

Noah Lyles First To Claim Sprint Double Since Usain Bolt

The Virginia native, a T.C. Williams alum, now has three major wins on the world stage at 200 meters since 2019.

Aug 25, 2023 by Cory Mull
Noah Lyles First To Claim Sprint Double Since Usain Bolt

Noah Lyles had a herculean task in front of him. The World Championship double. 

Earlier this week, the Virginia native claimed his first outright World title at 100 meters. 

On Friday, he followed with the 200 meter crown, clocking a time of 19.52 seconds inside the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, earning his second straight title and third overall. 

Lyles, who became the first man since Usain Bolt to win a World Championship double, won world 200m gold in 2022 and 2019. 

Lyles looked smooth the entire way, never looking out of control or in danger. 

Erriyon Knighton, the 19-year-old from Florida, was second overall in 19.75 seconds, giving the Americans the top two placements. Both Lyles and Knighton turned professional out of high school, with Lyles making his decision in 2016 and Knighton following in 2021. 

Third on the podium was the 20-year-old Letsile Tebogo, the Botswanan who earned his first World medal in a major championship. 

Lyles' week shouldn't be over.

On Saturday, he could feature for the men's 4x100 team which has a chance at gold. Lyles did not run in the prelims on Friday, though the U.S. could change its lineup for the final. 

SHERICKA TAKES THE CROWN

The U.S. sweep in the 200m did not come to fruition in the women's final. 

Instead, Jamaican legend Shericka Jackson, who entered as a World favorite and was the returning champion, covered the distance with force and precision, clearing the field at the line in 21.41 seconds, which was a new World Championship record and just 0.07 seconds off the world record. 

Americans Gabby Thomas and Sha'Carri Richardson, who were most likely to give Jackson pause, followed in 21.81 and 21.92 seconds, respectively. 

Thomas ran out of Lane 8, while Richardson was in 9, but neither seemed to give Jackson, who was 6, much trouble. 

Jackson blew away from the field on the curve and then commanded the final 50 meters.