Noah Lyles delivered a statement performance Saturday, equaling his personal best of 9.79 seconds to win the 100m at the U.S. athletics championships, the fastest time globally this year.
The 29-year-old Olympic gold medalist topped a field that saw Ronnie Baker and Kenny Bednarek tie for second at 9.88, with former world champion Christian Coleman fourth in 9.93. Lyles’ mark surpasses the previous 2026 world lead of 9.82, set by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in June.
Lyles’ victory comes in a non-championship year, but the sprinter made clear he has no intention of easing off. “Just because it is an off year doesn’t mean that I plan to run slow,” he said afterward, referring to the absence of an Olympics or World Championships on the 2026 calendar.
“This is me being me and being me is dominant, being consistent.” The performance reaffirms his hold on the sport’s premier event ahead of a 2027 World Championships campaign in which he will seek to defend his global title.
Richardson, who has faced well-documented personal struggles in recent years, struck a more reflective tone after her victory.
“It just feels phenomenal to be back in a better place, just healthy mentally, physically and emotionally,” said the 26-year-old, who won world gold in 2023 but failed to medal at the Paris Olympics. “Everything me and coach have been working on, it’s starting to show consistently.” Both winners now head into the remainder of the domestic season as heavy favorites for next month’s Diamond League meetings in Europe.
In the women’s race, 2023 world champion Sha’Carri Richardson clocked 10.77 to win, matching her season best. Kayla White (10.90) and Tamari Davis (11.00) rounded out the podium.
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