For years, track and field has been dominated by the simplest of stories: USA vs Jamaica, Noah Lyles vs whoever wears green and gold. Think Hulk vs Thor, only faster and in spikes. In Paris in 2024, Noah Lyles won over Kishane Thompson by five-thousandths of a second. That moment was hovering over all like a business half done. Now, the rivalry was set up for another round at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships. Fans were ready to witness fireworks; however, Kishane took silver, and Lyles returned with bronze in the 100m. After the race, you would expect tension, but instead, you got something completely surprising to watch.

No Lyles bragging. No icy stare. Just two rivals suddenly looking more like respectful co-workers than superheroes about to throw hands. FloTrack shared a clip on X from an interview that day. The interviewer asked Kishane about the mysterious hand gesture he made when his name was announced. Everyone had assumed it was some ‘I beat you’ kind of victory signal. But Kishane turned to Noah with a grin: “Noah… what it means?” he said, giving Lyles a chance to react. Noah, smiling, admitted, “I am assuming it’s a reference to some anime… I just don’t know the exact one.” And then the real fun began.

Kishane went on to explain: “I did two gestures. The bounce… You should be familiar with the bounce.” Lyles admitted he wasn’t. Kishane continued: “Goku Bounce.” Suddenly, Lyles remembered: “Yeah, Goku bounce, before he fought Broly.” And the hand sign? Kishane revealed, “It was a gesture from Alucard, when he releases his ultimate power,” referencing the iconic vampire from Hellsing. True to form, Kishane didn’t just strike a pose; he brought that energy onto the track. But the track itself was ready to answer back.

The Tokyo race gave a lot of excitement that will not be forgotten soon. Jamaican Oblique Seville took gold in a record-breaking race, finishing in 9.77. Kishane took silver in 9.82, which was a sweet redemption after Paris, just as Lyles’ bronze in 9.89 kept the rivalry alive. But as the fans will tell you, there is a lot more to this race than just the times. Kishane finishing ahead of Lyles for the first time in a major race was a highlight of the race. But of course, that is not where the story started this year.

Kishane Thompson fires back at Noah Lyles’ pocket claim

Leading up to the 2025 World Championships, Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson made sure everyone was talking about them. Their rivalry extended beyond the track to interviews, social media, and every possible headline. After their first race in August this year, where Thompson narrowly beat Lyles 9.87 to 9.90, Lyles quickly gave credit: “He’s a great competitor. He’s a very fast man.”

However, he couldn’t help but add some shade: “I still feel like he’s in my pocket. Next time we race, I’ll have something even better.” Thompson, with a confident grin, replied: “My pocket’s going to be so far ahead next time, so let’s see.” Since 2005, either an American or a Jamaican has won the last ten men’s 100m world titles, and has won six of the last seven Olympic titles (starting from 2000). Thompson knows how serious the rivalry is, and it is this aspect of racing that makes him change his philosophy. “It is me against myself,” is how it is said, and in his case, it is all about self-improvement, not to win.

Right now, the numbers tell a piece of the story. Thompson is leading 2025 in the season with an impressive 9.75s, and Lyles is not far behind at 9.89s. Both are at their best, eagerly awaiting the next race, and both promise that the next time they meet, it will be a race to watch.