Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, showcased his incredible form by setting a new personal best of 6.44 seconds in the 60m event at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Boston on Sunday, February 4.
Lyles not only surpassed his own personal record but also eclipsed Maurice Greene’s meet record from a quarter of a century ago.
This impressive performance marks a promising start to Lyles’ Olympic year as he gears up for the 2024 World Indoors in Glasgow, scheduled for March. The American sprinter expressed his ambitious goals, stating, “We’re coming after everything. All the Olympic medals. I don’t care who wants it. It’s mine.”
Closely contested race
In a closely contested race, Lyles narrowly defeated Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, who clocked 6.45 seconds, while Ronnie Baker, the 2018 world indoor bronze medalist, secured the third spot with a time of 6.54 seconds. Fred Kerley, the 2022 world 100m champion, finished fourth in his second-ever 60m indoor race, recording a time of 6.55 seconds.
Lyles, who had previously won his heat in 6.54 seconds, exuded confidence after achieving the world lead in the 60m event. He emphasized his intentions to aim even higher in the outdoor season, setting his sights on breaking legendary sprinter Usain Bolt’s world records.
“My confidence has now skyrocketed. Let’s go get a world indoor medal!” exclaimed Noah Lyles. He added, “This is just amplifying my thoughts for the outdoors. Why not world records… why not world records? Why shoot for something small when we [can] go big?”
Focus on strength training
Lyles elaborated on his preparations, revealing his focus on strength training and his aspirations for the world 60m indoor title, as well as the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m events at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
“I have been in the weight room, I had the ability to strike the ground with more force. I was just looking at my 60m split at the World Championships in the 100m; I came through at 6.46, I believe. I was looking at Christian, and he’s coming through at 6.42, and Ackeem Blake was coming through even faster. I got to get there, I got to get deep into 6.4s, so that when I come out in the outdoor season, it’s going to make that 7.5 and faster, coming down much easier,” Lyles remarked.
