2026 US 100 champ Noah Lyles says he's 'scared' for his competition
Sprinter Noah Lyles won the men's 100m at the 2026 U.S. Track and Field Championships with a world-leading time of 9.79 seconds. Lyles expressed confidence and competitive intensity regarding his future performance in upcoming global events.
Why it matters
Lyles' performance reinforces his status as a dominant figure in international athletics ahead of major global competitions.
Hear this story Another chapter in the Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek rivalry was written on Friday, July 24.
Lyles got the better of Bednarek in the men’s 100 at the USA Track and Field Championships.
Lyles ran a world-leading 9.79 to win the 100 in what was a competitive field. Ronnie Baker crossed the finish line in second with a time of 9.88 (9.875) and Bednarek ran a 9.88 (9.880) to take third.
Lyles got a decent start, but used his stellar closing speed to pull ahead of the other sprinters around the 60-meter mark. His time of 9.79 also equaled his personal-best.
"It's my natural high, winning, running fast, that feeling of flying, that feeling of being better than everybody in the world," Lyles told NBC Sports after the race. "You can't get that around here. Only around me."
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