Noah Lyles’ mother was overcome with emotion after her son won a historic gold medal in the men’s 100-meter sprint.
Keisha Caine Bishop burst into tears as Lyles emerged victorious in the thrilling race. He won Sunday’s race by 0.005 seconds in a time of 9.79.
The 27-year-old shared a heartwarming moment with his family, running to hug his mother, who sweetly said: “You did it. Oh my god, you’re so amazing.”
She continued, ‘Oh my god, you are so blessed, I am so proud of you. I am so proud. I am so proud.
He also hugged his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield and sister Abby before returning to the track to continue his party.
Noah Lyles’ mother Keisha Caine Bishop was overcome with emotion after her son’s 100-meter win
Noah Lyles became the first American in 20 years to win the men’s 100 meters final on Sunday
Lyles narrowly beat Jamaican Kishane Thompson, who took home silver, while fellow American Fred Kerley also made the podium in third place.
The Florida native has opened up about his struggle to reach the top, overcoming bullying and severe asthma on his road to greatness.
He told TIME last month that he felt “so empty” when the COVID-19 pandemic began, which had serious consequences for his health.
“I could barely talk,” Lyles said. “I was so tired. All the time. Even thinking was exhausting. It felt like you were almost having a constant asthma attack.
He continued, “You know there’s more space in your lungs, but you can’t physically use the muscles to actually breathe.”
He defeated Jamaican Kishane Thompson in Paris with a time of 9.79 seconds
Lyles has been candid about overcoming bullying and severe asthma on his way to the top
Lyles suffered from severe asthma as a child, and the sprinter was unable to have toys or teddy bears for fear that they would gather dust and aggravate his condition. He also developed a barking cough that caused some people to mistake him for a dog from a distance.
His mother told the magazine: “One day I was on a conference call for work and the supervisor asked, ‘Can someone please walk their dog?’”
Lyles, who was diagnosed with ADD and dyslexia as a child, was also bullied “relentlessly” at school.
‘[It was] “An emotional beating, that’s what really destroys you,” he said candidly.
Despite the setbacks, he has risen to the top of athletics and has now earned the title of fastest man in the world.