Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley Exchange Words Ahead of the 100m Showdown in Budapest

• Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles traded banter during a press conference on Friday
• The two will face each other in the 100m of the World Athletics Championships
• Kerley is the reigning world champion with Lyles looking to win a sprint double

Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley were in high spirits as they dressed reporters ahead of their anticipated showdown in the 100m this weekend.

The two will take to the track as the favourites to win the sprint race at the World Athletics Championships, with Kerley seeking to defend a title he won last year.

They will be joined by 2019 Champion, Christian Coleman and the new national champion, Cravont Charleston, for Team USA.

Last year, Kerley led a clean 1-2-3 American sweep, with Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Bromell completing the podium places.

Lyles has now dropped to the 100m and seeks to win the double. He remains the overwhelming favourite to retain the 200m title and become the second person after Usain Bolt to win three consecutive 200m titles.

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Kerley, Lyles banter during press conference

The 'Big Two' appeared before reporters on August 18 in a Team USA press conference, with Kerley warning his compatriot that the 100m title was his.

"I am Fred Kerley and it is my title. If Noah is running 9.65 seconds, then I am running faster," he said as quoted by LetsRun.com's Jonathan Gault.

To which Lyles responded;

"That's what they all say until they get beat."

The 9.65 remark came from Lyles' earlier comments that he intended to post that time in the 100m and 19.10 in the 200m, per Olympics. If he runs the latter, he will set a new world record and eclipse Usain Bolt's 19.19.

The two then shut down indications that Olympic champion, Marcell Jacobs, could pose a threat. The Italian has recently grappled with injuries but is expected to make a comeback in Budapest.

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"Nobody is worried about that man," said Kerley confidently.

The fastest men in 2023

The build-up to the 2023 World Athletics Championships men's 100 metres has been slow, with many favourites ahead of the August 19 and 20 showdown.

Unlike in previous championships, where all eyes would be on Usain Bolt, this year could go any way, with at least six heavyweights gunning for the gold medal.

Fred Kerley will defend his title in Budapest after a dominant 2022 Championships. Ahead of this, Sports Brief looks at the fastest 100m times this season.