“GLORY “. That’s what Noah Lyles is aiming for at the Tokyo World Championships. The reigning Olympic gold medalist is not just looking for a win; he is there to silence his doubters. He did achieve that to some degree with a comeback win in a 200m race against Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo (19.88 – 19.97) in Zurich last month. And now, his eyes are set on breaking Usain Bolt’s 200m world record (19.19) in Tokyo.

That’s been Noah Lyles’ aim for the longest time. Back in Back in August 2023, he said, “The hundred will be a lot closer once I get the first 10 metres down, so I’d say we’re still quite a few years away from that one. But the 200? Two years max.” The two years are up. Now, can he break the world record in Tokyo? Well, Usain Bolt doesn’t think so.

The Jamaican star is also in Tokyo, attending his first World Athletics Championship since 2017, and will be awarding the medals to the athletes on the 100m Podium. At a Puma event in the city, Bolt spoke about his records. “Records are bound to be broken someday,” he stated. But with a grin, he also added, “However, there is no one in particular who looks likely to be able to break it right now. I’m not worried.” That’s a huge statement. Noah Lyles? Kishane Thompson? Nope. Bolt believes his world records, 9.58 in the 100m and 19.19 in the 200m, will be untouched in Tokyo.

Talking of Noah, he said, “He’s a different type of athlete than me,” and also added, “I’d like to keep an eye on who breaks it [world record].” The only person who is in Tokyo and comes close to Bolt’s 100 record is Kishane Thompson, who clocked 9.75 in the Jamaican nationals and took the 6th place in the all-time 100m list. The 100m world champion is at number 12 with a time of 9.79s from the finals of the Paris Olympics. Though he is close to the 200m record.

Back in the 2022 US Trials, Noah Lyles clocked a time of 19.31s to become he third fastest man of all time in the 200m, after Yohan Blake (19.26) and Usain Bolt. Now that he has retained the same look, maybe there is a chance that he might do it. For that, Lyles will have to cut 12 hundredths of a second from his personal best, which is no mean feat.

But if Bolt is to be believed, he doesn’t think Noah Lyles will even win the 100m gold medal, let alone break his record.

Usain Bolt counts Noah Lyles out of the 100m Gold and Silver

Noah Lyles’ form hasn’t exactly been great this year. So much so that Usain Bolt has no trouble counting him out for the gold, as well as the Silver medal. At the Puma event, the Jamaican named two other sprinters who he believes are better placed to snatch the top two podium places. “Kishane and Oblique have already shown they are in shape. They should be 1-2 because they have proved throughout the season that they are on top and are running fast. Now it’s just about one of them executing, and it should be fine. I’m very confident that they can get it done.” And Bolt has got a point.

Not only is Thompson’s 9.75 closest to Bolt’s 100m record as compared to the PBs of any other athlete currently in Tokyo, but it is also the fastest time anybody has legally clocked in the 100m in the last 10 years. Seville has also been consistently clocking sub-10s this season, while Lyles has struggled with injury and has only clocked a sub-10 once this season. Moreover, he has not won against the two sprinters this season.

At the London Diamond League, Oblique Seville left Noah Lyles trailing, crossing the line in 9.86s while Lyles came in at 10.00. Less than a month later, at the Silesia Diamond League, Kishane Thompson left Lyles behind, clocking 9.87 to Lyles’ 9.90. Then, just a few days later at the Lausanne Diamond League, Seville reminded everyone why he’s such a threat, once again finishing ahead of the American star (9.87 – 10.10). Now the three of them will face off in Tokyo. Do you think Usain Bolt is right with his predictions? Or will Noah Lyles bounce back and defend his gold medal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.