'That man has talent!' - Why Noah Lyles is excited about future showdowns against Kishane Thompson

How does Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson's recent 60m races compare against the all-time greats?

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How does Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson's recent 60m races compare against the all-time greats

'That man has talent!' - Why Noah Lyles is excited about future showdowns against Kishane Thompson

Mark Kinyanjui 13:40 - 15.01.2025

Noah Lyles has explained why he is excited to race Kishane Thompson in more showdowns after admitting the Jamaican has "alot of talent".

Noah Lyles declared his excitement for future clashes with Kishane Thompson after narrowly defeating the Jamaican sprinter in the electrifying 100m final at the Paris Olympics last August. 

The race, a highlight of the Games, saw Lyles edge out Thompson by a mere 0.005 seconds, while Fred Kerley of the United States finished 0.02 seconds behind to take bronze.Lyles admitted that the race was among the toughest of his career, further complicated by his sluggish start.

With the slowest reaction time off the blocks, Lyles faced an uphill battle to regain ground. The dramatic finish left the result uncertain until the photo finish confirmed his triumph.

Even Lyles was initially convinced Thompson had claimed victory, approaching his rival post-race to say, “Hey, man, I think you got it.”

A rising rivalry

Thompson’s impressive form coming into the Paris Olympics set the stage for this epic showdown.

The Jamaican sprinter had clocked a blistering 9.77 seconds at his national trials, making him the fastest man of the year. He further solidified his credentials with a 9.82 in the preliminary rounds, outpacing Lyles’ performance at the U.S. trials.

Lyles, however, embraced the challenge with his signature confidence. “I beat everyone that I touch. I don’t see why the Jamaicans are any different. This is what I pray for, this is what I live for, and I back myself up, don’t I?” he said in an interview prior to the Games.

Despite these bold declarations, Lyles had made subtle references to Thompson’s injury history, remarking, “Alright nice… Let’s hope he stays healthy.”

While his confidence fueled anticipation, it also drew criticism from Jamaican fans, adding tension to the Paris finale.“Toughest Race” of His CareerReflecting on his victory, Lyles described the 100m final as “the toughest race” of his career, rivaling his performance in the 200m final at the Tokyo Olympics.

He acknowledged Thompson’s potential, stating to Television Jamaica: “That man has a lot of talent, and I am excited to see how many races we get to go head-to-head in.”

For Lyles, the win in Paris serves as both a milestone and a motivator as he turns his focus to the 200m and 4x100m relay, where he hopes to solidify his dominance further. 

Meanwhile, Thompson’s performance has positioned him as a rising force in sprinting, signaling a rivalry that promises to captivate fans for years to come.

As one of the most thrilling 100m races in Olympic history, the Paris final has set the tone for what could become one of the sport’s defining rivalries, with Lyles and Thompson pushing each other to new heights.

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