From Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to Dragon Ball tributes, Noah Lyles brings anime to the track while rewriting sprinting history
Lyles marked his fourth straight world 200m title with an anime tribute, while Jefferson-Wooden made history with a stunning sprint double.
Pushing his hands forward with fingers outstretched, unleashing an imaginary “kamehameha” energy blast in homage to the Japanese anime Dragon Ball – Akira Toriyama’s manga following Goku’s quest for the dragon balls – Noah Lyles (Gainesville, Florida, July 18, 1997) claimed his ninth world medal in Tokyo, his seventh gold. It came in a historic 200m final, where he secured his fourth consecutive world title at the distance, equaling the feat of Usain Bolt.
The flamboyant American sprinter, the most decorated fan in track and field with three Olympic medals and two indoor world titles in addition to his outdoor haul, proved once again that he is among the fastest humans ever. He won the race in 19.52 seconds, edging Kenneth Bednarek (19.58) and Jamaica’s Bryan Levell (19.64). Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo missed the podium.
The fastest otaku on Earth
“The fastest otaku on Earth,” as one local sports daily nicknamed him – using the Japanese word for hardcore anime devotees – grew up watching cartoons and has never stopped paying tribute to his passion, especially when competing in Japan.
“On the flight here I felt like I was floating to Tokyo through anime. As a kid I read and watched series, and then you start to dig deeper, suddenly you’re watching YouTube videos about mythology and yokai [ghosts], and before you know it you’ve gone down the rabbit hole.” His devotion is mutual – before his semifinal he acted out another famous character, while at the 2024 Trials he revealed Yu-Gi-Oh! cards hidden inside his kit.
Rock star on the track
Lyles is a rock star of the sport, with loyal fans and plenty of detractors. He has clashed physically with rivals such as Bednarek, traded words with Bolt and sparred on social media with NBA players after questioning whether winning the Finals makes someone a “world champion.” His celebrations range from tearing off his jersey like the Hulk to kneeling in prayer.
And behind all the showmanship is a difficult childhood that he now uses to inspire others.
“I had severe chronic asthma from the age of four, and I can’t remember a moment in my childhood when it wasn’t there. So many nights in hospital, unable to sleep, on the respirator, taking medication… I remember my dog barking all through the house – he knew I was sick. Sports were definitely out of the question. It was a long time when I thought I’d never recover. And now look where I am… I’m the third-fastest man ever in the 200m, with multiple gold medals. It doesn’t matter what happens to you – what matters is how much, and how hard, you keep fighting,” he told AS in Budapest in 2023.
Jefferson-Wooden strikes the double
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (24) left no chance for her rivals, cruising to victory in 21.68 – the fastest time in the world this season. She became the first woman in 12 years to claim the 100m-200m double. Britain’s Amy Hunt took silver in 22.14, with Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson earning bronze in 22.18.
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