Noah Lyles Mocks Ferdinand Omanyala After Beating Him at Atlanta City Games

• Double World Champion Noah Lyles aimed a brutal swipe at his competitors after winning on May 6
• Lyles beat Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala among others, at the Centennial Olympic Park
• The American has since confirmed that he intends to stop performing that gesture

World 200 metres champion Noah Lyles appeared to mock his fellow competitors, among them home and African hero Ferdinand Omanyala, after he won the Atlanta City Games on Sunday morning.

Lyles beat Omanyala in the 150 metres race, clocking 14.56 seconds, despite a poor start. It was the first time Omanyala was racing in the discipline.

Omanyala, Africa's fastest man and record holder over the 100 metres race, set an African record after using 14.89 seconds, lowering the 14.99 seconds used by Namibia's Frankie Fredericks in 1993.

He finished third behind Lyles and Erriyon Knighton. Knighton won bronze in the 200 metres race at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last year.

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After finishing the race, Lyles turned to his fellow competitors and shot them with an imaginary gun in an apparent swipe at Knighton and Omanyala. The gesture has elicited reactions online, with some thinking it was a dig.

Reactions

@supermario289 said:

"What a trashy move...definitely lost some respect for Noah on this one..."

@I'm Frank Sinatra said:

"If someone did that after they beat me, I am throwing whatever punches I have at him."

Taking to Twitter after the game, Lyles confirmed his gesture wasn't accidental but appeared to insinuate he won't do it again.

"The Girlfriend said no more shooting at the competition. All shots will now be in the air only."

Who is Noah Lyles?

That jibe on Omanyala notwithstanding, Lyles is one of the best sprinters of the modern-day era. He is a two-time world champion in the 200 metres race, having won Gold in Doha in 2019 before defending it last year. He was also part of America's 4 x 100m relay team that won Gold in Doha 2019. They had to settle for Silver in Eugene last year.

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He is also an Olympic bronze medallist, having finished behind Andre De Grasse and Kenny Bednarek in Tokyo. The 25-year-old has always been bullish and confident in his press conferences.

It is highly unlikely Omanyala will get a chance to exact his revenge this year, given that Lyles will go back to his preferred 200 metres as Omanyala chases more glory in 100 metres.

The Commonwealth champion will be in action next on May 13 at the Kip Keino classic on his Nairobi home turf.

Omanyala's wife discusses their journey

When Omanyala stormed into the semi-finals of the 100-metre event of the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021, many thought he would be a passing facade.

Nearly 18 months later, the 27-year-old brought the African record down to 9.77 seconds, won the African title, and then claimed the Commonwealth title.

Sports Brief conducted an exclusive interview with Omanyala's wife, Laventa Amutavi, who gave insight into how her husband became Africa's fastest man.