The track at the National Stadium in Kingston was electric when Kishane Thompson blazed to a world-leading 9.75 seconds in the men’s 100m final at the Jamaican trials. That scorching time didn’t just secure his national title, it etched his name as the sixth-fastest man in history, surpassing Christian Coleman’s 9.76. Thompson, only 23, surged through the phases with relentless precision, easing up at the finish yet still clocking a mark not seen since Justin Gatlin’s 9.75 in 2015. The sprint world stood still, jaws dropped, as this young Jamaican signaled his arrival. But could this be the moment that shifts the sprinting crown?

Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic and world champion, knows the weight of that crown. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he delivered a personal best of 9.79 seconds, edging Thompson by a mere 0.005 seconds in a photo-finish thriller that crowned him the fastest man alive. Lyles’ 9.784 to Thompson’s 9.789 was a testament to his clutch dip at the line, but Thompson’s 9.75 at the trials casts a long shadow.

That performance, run with a legal +0.8 m/s wind, has redefined the stakes. Lyles, who hasn’t raced the 100m this season due to a minor ankle injury, now faces a rival who’s rewritten the script. Can Lyles’ experience hold up against Thompson’s raw speed? Well, analysts certainly think so.

“Kishane’s the guy to beat right now in the 2025 season,” analysts are buzzing, and they’re not holding back. Noah Williams, on Track World News, declared Thompson the favorite, saying, “Based on everything we’ve seen, Kishane is 100% without a doubt in my mind the guy to beat in the 100 meters right now. I know Noah Lyles is the Olympic champ, he’s the reigning world champ, but that 9.75, boy, you blink and you miss it, man. So he’s my favorite right now, I can’t lie to you.”

Another voice, Colin, echoed the sentiment: “I thought that was a big performance, and he looked strong, like he looked good the entire time. He had a solid start, like it was a powerful, powerful race for him.” Their words underline Thompson’s dominance, clean execution, explosive drive, and untapped potential. But what does this mean for the Tokyo World Championships?

As Thompson eyes redemption in Tokyo, his 9.75 has set a new benchmark. Lyles, with his 200m prowess and championship pedigree, remains a formidable foe. Yet, Thompson’s blistering form, backed by coach Stephen Francis, hints at even faster times, maybe even a 9.68. The sprint world is on notice: a new king may be rising. Will Thompson’s speed dethrone Lyles, or will the champ reclaim his glory?

Thompson vs. Lyles: Sprint showdown looms in Tokyo

The sprint world is buzzing as Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles gear up for a showdown at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, set for September 13-21. Thompson’s blistering 9.75-second 100m at the Jamaican trials in June 2025, the sixth-fastest ever, made him the world leader, eclipsing Lyles’ 9.79 personal best from the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Lyles edged Thompson by a mere 0.005 seconds. That photo-finish thriller, with both clocking 9.79, set the stage for an epic rematch. Can Thompson’s raw speed outshine Lyles’ championship savvy?

Lyles, the defending 100m and 200m world champion, thrives under pressure. His 6.52-second 60m at the 2025 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix showed he’s in form, despite skipping the World Indoor Championships to focus on Tokyo.

Thompson, meanwhile, kicked off with a 6.48-second 60m in Jamaica, signaling his intent. Kishane is rightly the guy to beat right now in 2025. Yet, Lyles’ experience in rounds gives him an edge. Will Tokyo crown a new sprint king, or will Lyles defend his throne?