Noah Lyles breaks 1996 American record in 200m set by Michael Johnson...
EUGENE--Holy Batman!
With apologies to Adam West and Burt Ward, the track and field saw Noah Lyles (Paul Merca photos) finally break the American record in the 200 meters that Michael Johnson set way back in 1996 when he won the Olympic title at the now defunct Centennial Olympic Stadium in Atlanta.
Lyles broke the record of 19.32 that Johnson set in winning the 200 meter world title on a sunny evening at Historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon Thursday evening.
Lyles entered the meet as the defending world champion, but was not quite the clear-cut favorite, with the likes of US teammates Kenny Bednarek and teenager Erriyon Knighton nipping at his feet waiting for their opportunity to take the crown away from him.
While Knighton got a strong start through the turn on the north end of Hayward, Lyles was close and may have been a step ahead entering the home straight.
Lyles broke away coming off the turn and powered away for the victory in what was initially announced as a tie with Johnson's 1996 world record, but was adjusted to 19.91 and sole possession of the American record.
Lyles said he “thought it was slow” but when he hit the line, and saw 19.32, he was both thrilled and slightly frustrated, given it apparently tied Michael Johnson’s former world record. “I was like, you gonna do me like that?” he laughed. “Then that number changed, and my whole mood changed.”
Johnson, working the world championships for the British Broadcasting Corporation on their telecast of the meet, came down trackside to congratulate Lyles. “He was congratulating me, letting me know I am a fierce competitor,” said Lyles.
Bednarek, known amongst the younger track fans as "Kung Fu Kenny" for the wide headbands he wears at meets, was second at 19.77, and Knighton was third at 19.80.
Afterwards, Lyles took a page from the Hulk Hogan school of ripping his top for the crowd.
In the only other final Thursday night, Jamaica's Shericka Jackson flew to a 21.45 clocking to win the women's 200 over teammate and 100m winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price.
Fraser-Pryce held on well for silver with 21.81 while Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, the 2019 champion, took bronze at 22.02.
Abby Steiner, the NCAA champion at Kentucky last month, was fifth at 22.26.
Friday at the world championships, Vancouver native Kara Winger is scheduled to make her last appearance as a pro when the nine-time US national champion in the javelin throws in the finals at 6:20 pm.
To close out Friday's session, Washington alum Gianna Woodruff runs in the finals of the women's 400 hurdles at 7:50 pm. Woodruff, who broke 54 seconds for the first time in Wednesday's semifinals, goes against a field that includes Americans Shamier Little, defending world champ Dalilah Muhammad, and world record holder and Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin.
NOTE: World Athletics, USA Track & Field and the Oregon22 organizing committee contributed to this report.
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