Noah Lyles extended his dominance on the global stage by clinching his fourth consecutive 200m title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Afrosport reports.
The Olympic 100m champion held off a fierce three-way challenge from compatriot Kenny Bednarek, Olympic 200m title-holder Letsile Tebogo, and Jamaica’s Bryan Levell to retain his crown in a never-seen before final.
Lyles, 28, crossed the line in 19.52 seconds, narrowly ahead of Bednarek, who took silver in a season’s best (SB) 19.58. Levell stormed to bronze with a personal best of 19.64, edging Tebogo into fourth by just 0.01 seconds, with the Motswana clocking a SB of 19.65.
“I can’t wait for 2027 (the next World Championships in Beijing) to become the only man to win five 200m titles,” the American said afterwards.
“I don’t have good memories from Tokyo in 2021. At that time, I was depressed, but this time I am energised. I love what I do, and I am happy. I have the best support staff and the best crowd I could have ever asked for. My face is blasted everywhere over Tokyo. This is amazing and such a joyous moment I am going to keep with me forever.”
The race etched its place in history as the first in which three — and indeed four — athletes dipped under 19.70, while five men ran inside 19.80 for the first time ever.
Lyles, meanwhile, tied the all-time record held by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, who also won four world titles.
The American won the event in 2019 in Doha, Oregon (2022), Budapest (2023), and now in 2025. Bolt won it in Berlin (2009), Daegu (2011), Moscow (2013), and Beijing (2015).
His success was followed by that of his compatriot, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who clocked 21.68s to win the women’s 200m world title.
She beat Britain’s Amy Hunt, who came second in 22.14s, while former world champion Shericka Jackson was third in 22.18s.
By winning the gold medal, Jefferson-Wooden became the first-ever American woman to sweep the 100 and 200m at the World Championships. She also became the first athlete to complete a sprint double since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
