Noah Lyles: Michael Johnson Passes Verdict on Star After Breaking Usain Bolt’s Record

• Noah Lyles has received backing from former sprinting champion Michael Johnson
• Lyles ascendancy in recent years has seen him break a couple of Usain Bolt's records
• He will be chasing a third consecutive world 200 metres title in Budapest next month

Retired sprint legend Michael Johnson has lauded Noah Lyles as the next big thing in athletics after the American surpassed Usain Bolt's record for the most sub-20 times in the 200 metres race.

Lyles brought the house down at the London Diamond League on July 23, setting a new world lead of 19.47 seconds, with less than a month to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

It was a race of epic proportions as Letsile Tebogo finished second with 19.50 seconds, a new African record as Zharnel Hughes set a new British record of 19.73 seconds.

Apart from setting a new world lead and breaking Bolt's record, Lyles also set a new meet record-breaking Bolt's long-standing record set in 2008.

Who are the 10 best black fighters in the world currently?

UFC

Noah Lyles' career

It has been a steady trajectory for the 26-year-old who used his disappointment of missing out on the 2016 Rio Olympics to fuel him to greater heights. He has since won two world titles over the same distance, five Diamond League trophies and an Olympic Bronze medal, among other achievements.

It is his latest performance that has seen Johnson opine that Lyles has Bolt's mannerisms without necessarily copy-pasting the Jamaican legend.

"He gets it; he gets what the sport needs. After Bolt, the sport was searching for “the next Bolt”. Noah is exciting crowds without trying to be Bolt!" he said in an exclusive with World Athletics.

Johnson, who was an accomplished athlete during his days, having won four Olympic Gold medals and eight world titles, has also backed Lyles to make an attempt for Bolt's world record of 19.19.

"Noah has to be thinking world record is possible. His top-end speed on the straight has improved dramatically the last couple of years. Needs to figure out how to reach that same top-end speed on the curve. That’s where the opportunity is."

Ferdinand Omanyala Confident Ahead of World Athletics Championships: “Nothing but Gold”

Athletics

Lyles is currently the third-fastest man in history over the distance with his personal best of 19.31, only behind Bolt's and Yohan Blake's 19.26 seconds.

Five facts about Noah Lyles

The two-time World Champion has already declared his intentions to attempt a double at the World Athletics Championships later this year.

He will be aiming to join Bolt (four times) and Allyson Felix (triumphs in 2005, 2007, and 2009) as the only athletes to win three consecutive gold medals in 200m.

The straight-talking American sprinter is often spicy in his interviews, calling it as he sees it. Sports Brief takes a look at some unknown facts about Lyles.