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Olympian Fred Kerley has rubbished a potential 400m showdown with Olympic champion Noah Lyles.
Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley has dismissed the idea of a 400m showdown with fellow Olympian Noah Lyles, calling the potential matchup unworthy of discussion.
Kerley’s fiery response came after Citius Mag, an American news outlet, posted a tweet suggesting the race as part of its 2025 matchup wishlist.
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18:00 - 19.12.2024
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The tweet read, “The Lap Count’s 2025 Matchup Wishlist. Fred Kerley vs. Noah Lyles over 400m.”
Kerley swiftly hit back, tweeting, “Bro that is not even a matchup in no 400m. Stop disrespecting me. You can at least say someone in the top 10 of the 400m.”
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18:30 - 19.12.2024
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The debate gained traction when a Twitter user questioned Kerley’s stance, suggesting that Lyles, a world champion in the 200m, could compete against the best in the 400m.
“The short sprints are a different animal. And are you just stroking Noah or do you really believe he can't run faster than any of the top 10 people in a 400-meter from this past season?” the user asked.
Kerley, who clocked an impressive 43.64 in the 400m at the 2019 U.S. Track & Field Championships, placing him 10th all-time was quick to defend his record.
“I ain’t never lost a 400m at USA so keep it coming,” he responded.
On the other hand, Noah Lyles has yet to prove himself in the 400m at the professional level.
His personal best in the event, 47.04, was set in high school in 2016.
Despite this, Lyles has previously expressed confidence in his potential to challenge the 400m world record of 43.03, held by Wayde van Niekerk.
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11:30 - 13.12.2024
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Kerley, a two time Olympic medalist, sees the Grand Slam as a platform to rediscover his winning formula,
Lyles has suggested that if he were to focus entirely on the 400m, he could make a significant impact.
While both athletes have cemented their legacies in the sprinting world, Kerley’s dominance in the 400m makes a matchup with Lyles seem far-fetched, for now.
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