Noah Lyles posted the world’s fastest 100-meter time of 2026 while winning the event at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships on Friday in New York.
Lyles crossed the finish line in 9.79 seconds, nearly identical to the time that earned him the 2024 Olympic 100-meter gold medal (9.784).
“I think I made that ‘I’m still the world’s fastest man’ statement,” Lyles said, according to NBC Sports.
Ronnie Baker came in second at 9.88 seconds, the same time as the third-place finisher, Kenny Bednarek.
The previous best 100 time this year was 9.82, logged by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville last month.
Lyles, 29, is looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and beyond.
“I am now on the other side of my career. I have spent a good 75% preparing for my exit,” he said, per NBC Sports. “Whether that’s how am I going to be making my money, how am I going to be running my business, who’s going to be helping me to run my business and then just how I’m going to have kids, have a family, grow and a lot of that stuff. So that’s what I’d say I’ve been focusing on.”
In the women’s 100, Sha’Carri Richardson prevailed in 10.77 seconds, equaling her best time of the season. Richardson took silver in the 100 at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“It just feels phenomenal to be back in a better place healthy — mentally, physically, emotionally,” she told NBC Sports. “It shows that hard work pays off.”
Kayla White was the runner-up in the women’s 100 at 10.90 seconds, and Tamari Davis took third place at 11.00.
Tyus Wilson matched his personal best while winning the men’s high jump at 2.29 meters. Scottie Vines claimed second place at 2.26 meters, and Shelby McEwen came in third at 2.20 meters.
Euphenie Andre logged a personal-best triple jump of 13.94 meters to claim the women’s title. Kayla Woods took second place in a personal-best 13.75 meters and Kayla Pinkard wound up third at 13.48 meters.
Annette Echikunwoke produced the winning women’s hammer throw distance on her first attempt, 75.47 meters. Rachel Richeson (73.02 meters) and Erin Reese (72.94 meters) rounded out the top three.
Nick Christie won the men’s half marathon race walk in 1 hour, 31 minutes, 57.11 seconds, topping Jordan Crawford (1:36:17.18) and Michael Mannozzi (1:50:52).
Lauren Harris captured the women’s half marathon race walk with a time of 1:38:35.56. Maria Michta-Coffey (1:47:44) and Angelica Harris (1:49:03) finished second and third, respectively.
The event is being held in New York for the first time since 1991 as it celebrates its 150th anniversary in the city where the inaugural edition was contested.
–Field Level Media
