At 24, Joseph Fahnbulleh is gearing up for a bold new phase in his sprinting career — one that could reshape his rivalry with 200m world champion Noah Lyles. As Lyles continues to dominate the event, Fahnbulleh’s reported switch in training environment signals real intent to close the gap. According to Global Athletics Hub on X, the sprinter has officially changed coaches.

He has reportedly left coach Mike Holloway, and is currently training under the guidance of coach Ken Harnden, who is based at the University of Auburn. This move could mark a strategic turning point in his pursuit of Lyles. A new training group often translates into new techniques, renewed motivation, and faster times. And Fahnbulleh is reportedly training with “the likes of Kanyinsola Ajayi, Maka Charamba & Ja’Kobe Tharp.”

The Liberian-American sprinter, who boasts a 19.83-second personal best in the 200m flat and a string of NCAA titles with the Florida Gators, has long competed at the elite level.

Meanwhile, Lyles has asserted his dominance, capturing his fourth consecutive 200m win at the World Championships. This rivalry is definitely built on personal performances and incremental improvements. But it has remained somewhat one-sided until now.

With the new training group, we can actually expect Fahnbulleh to change that. 

With his coaching switch and a reinvigorated mindset, Fahnbulleh appears ready to chase Lyles with more purpose than ever. But before looking ahead, it’s worth revisiting a moment that perfectly captured the tension between the two sprinters. Let’s revisit a moment where Fahnbulleh almost had a showdown with Lyles. 

Joseph Fahnbulleh recalls a showdown with Noah Lyles

During an episode of Ready Set Go with Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green, Fahnbulleh revealed a story of his rivalry with Noah Lyles. It happened just before the 100m dash at the 2023 Tom Jones Memorial, when Lyles tried to shake his hand.

He recalled, “Here comes Noah, trying to shake my hand. Shake my hand,’ I’m like, ‘All right, bro. I’m chilling, like, stop.’ ‘Shake my hand. I’m like, ‘Oh, come on.’” The scene was painted in an amalgamation of irritation and confusion. But then came the big goof-up. 

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There were multiple false starts, and one came from Fahnbulleh himself. Everything blurred with the chaos on the track. But then he got back to his senses when he heard Mike Holloway, his former coach, yell at him to stay focused.

However, his rage persisted. Fahnbulleh continued, “I was mad because he [Noah Lyles] was trying to be funny and shake my hand. So I was like, ‘Bro, come on now.’” 

At the end of the race, Lyles clocked in at 9.95s, while Fahnbulleh finished the race in 9.98s. So close, yet so far. Nevertheless, things now have a high possibility of change. And who knows, we can actually get to see Fahnbulleh outpacing Noah Lyles in the near future, all because of his new training environment.