The world witnessed an amazing year in the form of 2023 as they saw several amazing performances. These performances earned top athletes like Noah Lyles getting nominated for the Athlete of the Year award as well. World Athletics doesn’t just reward established athletes for showcasing brilliant talent but also honors the efforts of the rising stars. 

America’s sprinting sensation, Erriyon Knighton was selected as one of the Rising Star Award nominees by World Athletics. The 19-year-old won the 2023 US Championship and also bagged the silver medal after Noah Lyles in the 200m dash in Budapest. However, while Lyles is happy about Knighton’s selection, he also carries a big disappointment in his mind. In fact, he openly questioned the expulsion of a rival rising star from the nominations.

Noah Lyles takes a stand for rival athlete 

World Athletics recently congratulated Erriyon Knighton for making it to the finals of the Rising Star of the Year award via a tweet. This brought great joy and pride to all Americans and Knighton’s senior, Noah Lyles. However, the tweet also astonished Lyles since he expected Tebogo on the list as well. Responding to the tweet, he wrote, “Quick question, what constitutes as a rising star? Because I’m shocked to see Tebogo is not on this list. Silver in the 100 Bronze in the 200 Broke 2 African records (one of them previously held by Franky Fredricks)” 

The 6x World Champion Noah Lyles is known for not hesitating to speak his mind. Lyles raced against both the 19-year-old Erriyon Knighton and Botswana’s 20-year-old Lestile Tebogo at the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest. While Lyles outshined them both in the 200m and the 100m dashes respectively, both athletes earned his recognition and respect. Even after that, the reason for Tebogo missing the nomination is that he wasn’t a U20 athlete.

Trending

Shedeur Sanders Becomes the “Laughing Stock” of College Football as He Ignores NFL Legend’s Advice to Target Gavin Kuld

May 18, 2024 02:10 PM EDT

Mom Randi Defends Son Patrick Mahomes as Chiefs Dragged Through Mud Due to Harrison Butker, Wanya Morris & Jason Godrick’s Controversies

May 18, 2024 05:57 PM EDT

Dana White & UFC Miss Out on $1.38 Billion Worth Achievement as Conor McGregor Awfully Falls Short of 3-Year-Old Feat

May 18, 2024 01:21 PM EDT

Millionaire Best Friend Shedeur Sanders and Co. Can’t Hold Back as Travis Hunter Flaunts $120K Birthday Present From Fiancée Leanna

May 19, 2024 04:53 AM EDT

Big Setback for Shaq, as $155 Billion Company Eyes Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith Post-TNT Era

May 17, 2024 10:54 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Olympics stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Annoyed by this, Lyles, along with several other X users, agreed that World Athletics should rename the category. Noah Lyles insisted in another tweet and said that the award should definitely reflect that it’s an age-specific award. Lestile Tebogo has impressed everyone with his sprinting skills along with his most fierce rival, Noah Lyles. However, also has another American sprinting legend under his spell. In fact, the legendary athlete has also said that Tebogo is the real future of track and field.

Justin Gatlin names Lestile Tebogo the future of track and field

4x World Champion Justin Gatlin announced the name of track and field’s true torchbearer a while ago. The Olympic gold medalist was invited to the Tidal League Podcast, where the subject of discussion was Noah Lyles. Despite this, Gatlin chose to name Lestile Tebogo over Noah Lyles as the future of track and field.

Gatlin rooted the reason for his answer in the smooth and flawless movement of Tebogo’s body when he sprints. According to him, “I love the way he runs. I love his technique, I love his gait, I love how he’s out there he just moves. He has that talent where he can run you down so he has the top end as well.” 

USA’s Olympic Hero Joins the Ranks of Noah Lyles at $34 Billion Company After 4 Years of Facing Near-Lethal Accident

Gatlin has now been joined by Noah Lyles as another American fan of the Botswana sprinter. Tebogo may not be on the list of Rising Stars awards. However, he will definitely be on the starting line alongside Lyles and Knighton. Who will emerge victorious and claim the gold medal at the Paris Olympics among these three flamboyant sprinters?

WATCH STORY – Reminiscing His Vacation Spree in Jamaica, World Champion Noah Lyles Makes a Special Appeal Ahead of World Athletics Awards