Noah Lyles sprints to fourth consecutive world 200m title
With the win, the 28-year-old ties Usain Bolt’s record of four consecutive world championship golds
Nick Iwanyshyn
After Noah Lyles lost the gold medal in the men’s 200m at last year’s Paris Olympics, the event became personal.
On Friday evening at the 2025 World Championships, Lyles reclaimed his crown, storming to victory in 19.52 seconds to win the fourth world 200m title of his career. With the win, the 28-year-old ties Usain Bolt’s record of four consecutive world championship golds in the event.
It wasn’t a textbook race for Lyles, who had one of the slowest reaction times off the blocks and came off the bend in fifth place. But in the final 100 metres, the American record holder unleashed his trademark top-end speed to surge past the field and defend his title.
Lyles edged his compatriot and rival Kenny Bednarek by six-hundredths of a second at the line. Bednarek, remarkably consistent, has now collected silver in four of the last five major championships (Olympics and Worlds). Jamaica’s Bryan Levell claimed bronze in 19.64 seconds, earning his country its first medal in the men’s 200m since 2017.
Reigning Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo missed the podium, finishing fourth in a season’s best 19.65. The Botswana sprinter has had a tough championship, having also missed out on a medal in the 100m after being disqualified for a false start.
Noah Lyles 🇺🇸 wins GOLD in the men’s 200m at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships in 19.52s!🥇
🥈 Kenny Bednarek 🇺🇸 19.58
🥉 Bryan Levell 🇯🇲 19.64
4. Letsile Tebogo 🇧🇼 19.65pic.twitter.com/5jPhJhUjZp— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) September 19, 2025
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden wins the sprint double
The 100m world champion, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, added another title on Friday evening, winning the 200m to become the first American sprinter to secure gold in both sprint events at the same World Championships.
Jefferson-Wooden ran a personal best of 21.68 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year. Great Britain’s Amy Hunt surged in the final 50 metres to take silver in 22.14 seconds, while Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson earned bronze in her return to the track after an injury led to Olympic heartbreak last year.
For full results of the 2025 World Athletics Championships, click here.
Canadian Running’s coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships is brought to you by ASICS Canada.
