Jump directly to the content

Noah Lyles is athletics’ stylish record breaker who has Usain Bolt in his sights after surpassing USA hero Michael Johnson

Athletics star Noah Lyles doesn't want to just win medals - he's here to take over.

The American - already a three-time world champion - has his eyes set on smashing Usain Bolt's 200m record this month.

American star Lyles is the third-fastest man in history in the 200m event
6
American star Lyles is the third-fastest man in history in the 200m eventCredit: Getty
Lyles won his first World Championship gold medal at the Doha 2019 games
6
Lyles won his first World Championship gold medal at the Doha 2019 gamesCredit: Getty
He has set his sights on breaking Bolt's 14-year 200m record
6
He has set his sights on breaking Bolt's 14-year 200m record

It's something that seemed impossible when Bolt posted 19.19 seconds in Berlin in 2009.

But fans could witness history in the upcoming World Athletic Championships in Budapest, which starts on August 19.

And even Lyles is frightened by the prospect of shattering the Jamaican legend's 14-year record.

Commenting on his Diamond League victory over Britain's Zharnel Hughes at West Ham's London Stadium last month, he said: "World records are really dependent on the day.

READ MORE ON ATHLETICS

"But me and my coach have looked at each other quite often and said, 'Yeah, this is getting real scary'.

"After London, it was like, 'Oh shoot, this is really about to happen'."

Lyles is already the third-fastest man of all time - behind Bolt and Yohan Blake - having posted a time of 19.31 seconds at the World Championships in Oregon last year.

In doing so, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist smashed Michael Johnson's 26-year US record, with Bolt now his next target.

Lyles goes into Budapest with a world-leading 200m time of 19.47 seconds
6
Lyles goes into Budapest with a world-leading 200m time of 19.47 secondsCredit: AFP

And he doesn't want to just beat the eight-time Olympic gold medallist, he wants to obliterate him.

Taking to Instagram, he announced he wants to post 19.10 in Budapest in the 200m, while also running a 9.65 in the 100m.

That would make him the second fastest man in history behind Bolt, a huge ask of a sprinter who is 25th in the all-time 100m rankings.

He said of his ambitions: "I've never been afraid to say what my goals are. You know it's just me and I hate that nobody does share their goals

"I don't care if I do or don't make that come through. I will do everything in my power to make sure it does happen and if I don't who cares?

"I'm gonna still share my aspirations and my goals and you know if people wanna come and join me, then enjoy the show, because it's gonna be good."

Lyles comes into Budapest with a world-leading 200m time of 19.47, which was set in London - just three weeks after recovering from Covid.

At last year's World Championships, he went into the event with a season's best time of 19.61 before clocking in at 19.31.

Lyles has big goals for Budapest
6
Lyles has big goals for BudapestCredit: IG: @nojo18
The Florida native is looking to win the 200m event at the World Championships for a third successive time
6
The Florida native is looking to win the 200m event at the World Championships for a third successive timeCredit: Getty

And if he beats his season's best by three-tenths of a second again at the World Championships, he will succeed in his target of breaking Bolt's record.

In a recent interview with NBC sports, Lyles stressed he won't accept anything less than a gold in the 200m event in Hungary, and at least a medal in the 100m.

The Florida native, who also won gold in the 4x100m relay at Doha in 2019, remarked: "There is what I will accept, and then there’s what my greatest expectation is.

"What I will accept is grabbing a medal in the 100m, whatever colour, and winning the 200m.

Read More on talkSPORT

"My greatest aspiration is that I will grab three golds, gain a world record in the 200m."

Blink, and you very well may miss it.

Topics