American sprint star Noah Lyles claims gold in the 200m World Championship in Budapest, while Britain’s Zharnel Hughes blames his fourth-place finish on lane draw

As you stepped out of the darkness of the tunnel onto the track and into the dazzling lights of the stadium, you had an overwhelming sense that there was never any serious doubt about the outcome of the men’s 200m final.

The almighty roar that Noah Lyles unleashed in the night sky of Budapest was one from a man who had no doubt that he would do something other than become a three-time world champion in the 200 meters.

Lyles took the gold in a time of 19.52 seconds ahead of compatriot Erriyon Knighton and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo.

It’s been a special week for the American, who is the first man to complete the 100 and 200 meters doubles at the World Championships since the great Usain Bolt did so in 2015. He is only the fifth man to ever achieve this feat.

“The double is done, it’s alive, it’s thriving,” Lyles said. “I talk a lot about the fact that there is no pressure, but of course there will be pressure no matter what. The 100 meters is fun, but the 200 meters is personal to me. This is where I learned to race.

He is the first man to complete the 100 and 200 meters double at the World Championships since Usain Bolt

Lyles took gold in a time of 19.52 seconds, beating compatriot Erriyon Knighton

“I knew a lot of guys came up with the idea of ​​taking this over from me. Frankly, they have the ability too. I don’t believe in deserving to win. You take the win.’

Britain’s Zharnel Hughes battled valiantly in and among the best in the world, but fell just short of a medal after finishing fourth in 20.02 seconds. The 28-year-old admitted that his draw on court four did him no favors.

“Listen, better Lane and I honestly would have been on the podium,” said Hughes.

“I have to work twice as hard as those guys, they have few corners to run and I have all the corners to run. Those guys were just too far ahead to overtake.’

Still, it’s been quite a journey for Hughes. Hurdles may not be his cup of tea, but the 28-year-old has conquered many of them so far in his career.

An injury cost him a place at the Rio Olympics, then a false start caused by a cramping calf in the 100m final at the Tokyo Games led to his disqualification.

Those lows seriously hurt Hughes. And that’s why he’s hungrier than ever to prove his potential in what has been a record season.

He couldn’t have been in a better place when he entered Budapest. But at the top of the sport, sometimes your best just isn’t enough. Especially when you’re up against someone of Lyles’ power.

Zharnel Hughes narrowly fell short of a medal after finishing fourth in 20.02 seconds

He admitted that he was injured in the 200 meters on Friday night due to his draw on court four in Budapest

It was a ferocious run from the favorite that left the rest far behind. He was and is simply the best.

The brash American will divide opinion. He’s not afraid to hand them out either. Especially when it comes to himself.

But what’s crucial is that he has the talent to back it up. With his glittering gold and silver chain and ever-evolving hairstyles, he really is the box office package. And he calls on the sport to do more to promote his talents.

“I look around at these World Championships and I don’t see (Usain) Bolt, I don’t see Asafa (Powell), I don’t see Yohan (Blake)… and he’s still running,” Lyles explained passionately. monologue.

“Where are all these great champions? You know what hurts me the most? Got to watch the NBA Finals and they have a world champion on their head.

Lyles wondered why the sport didn’t do more to promote his amazing resume

Erriyon Knighton of the United States, Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana pose with their silver, gold and bronze medals respectively after the men’s 200 meters

World champion of what? The United States? Don’t get me wrong, I like the US sometimes. But that’s not the world. We are the world, we must do more, we must be presented to the world.’

If the Netflix chefs making the fly-on-the-wall documentary about the world of sprinting don’t have a camera tracking his every move, they might as well stop production now.

“All I know is they weren’t talking about me at the beginning of that documentary,” Lyles joked. “As soon as I won in Paris, they got buddy buddy very quickly!

“I think it went from a docuseries about the fastest people to a docuseries about me.”