Christian Coleman Stuns Noah Lyles To Win Men's 100m At Prefontaine Classic
Christian Coleman Stuns Noah Lyles To Win Men's 100m At Prefontaine Classic
Christian Coleman stunned world champion Noah Lyles to win the men's 100m in a world-leading 9.83 at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field
EUGENE -- Christian Coleman stunned world champion Noah Lyles to win the men's 100m in a world-leading 9.83 at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.
Lyles, who won the 100m and 200m gold medals at Worlds, finished second in 9.85. Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya was third, also running 9.85.
While Lyles' performance in Budapest earned him the unofficial title of "World's Fastest Man" and certainly established him as the one to beat in the sprints heading into the 2024 Olympic year.
USA 1-2 FINISH! πΊπΈ
β NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) September 16, 2023
Christian Coleman wins the 100m with a world lead time of 9.83 and Noah Lyles takes second.
πΊ: @nbc & @peacock | #EugeneDL pic.twitter.com/ZVOuEcWPMx
But Coleman has actually now tied Lyles as the fastest man in the world this season, based on time, and certainly served notice that he should not be discounted when these sprinters return here for the Trials next summer.
βYou just got to stay consistent, find your race pattern, and when you find it you hold on to it,β Coleman said. βThis year I feel like I had a mental breakthrough to where Iβm able to just find my stride and stick to it. And I feel like next year Iβll be able to capitalize.β
Coleman started well -- not an explosive start by his high standards -- and was strong throughout the middle stages of the race. What was the determining factor was his finish. When Lyles and Omanyala began to close, Coleman didn't tense up like he did at Worlds and ran relaxed through the line. It made the two-hundredths of second difference in this race.
βI feel like I could have executed the start a little bit better, but I feel like I was able to just put all my experiences throughout the year during the race,β Coleman said. "In races like that I usually might get tight or just not execute the back end, but I was able to just find a sense of confidence and believe in myself, like I knew I was supposed to win this race and so I was able to stay composed and put out a win at the end.β
For Lyles, some questioned why he did an about face and chose to compete here, risking his season ending on a loss instead of the high of his performance at Worlds, after declaring his season to be over. For his part, Lyles recognizes his stature in the sport and embraces his role as ambassador. He said it was the determining factor in his racing one more time.
βIβve been having great block starts, this is my second fastest time of the year," he said. "Of course I want the win, but more importantly is that the crowd got to come out here and I got to be in front of them. After a World Championship win, I know thatβs what they really wanted to see.
βI was able to do a victory lap, even though I didnβt win the victory, but they were just as excited. When you donβt win and they still know your name and theyβre excited to see you, they want you to come back. I had told people I was ending my season and they were so sad because they wanted me to come to Pre. And I was like, you know what I got to give it to them, Iβm a guy who loves competition and if they want it that bad then Iβll come back, as long as Iβm healthy for it. Iβm very glad I came back out.β
βOnce the track season starts itβs all business, but while itβs not Iβm gonna go have fun," Lyles said. "Iβm going to do non-track things. Iβm going to go on late-night TV shows. Iβm going to go walk in a fashion show. Iβm going to go on some Sunday Night Football. Iβm going to go on vacation, Iβm going to go to Jamaica. Iβm gonna have some fun.β
And how does Lyles plan to top 2023?
βBy having a better one next year," he said. "World records and Olympic medals.β
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