Funniest Moments of World Athletics Championships As Noah Lyles’ War With NBA Rages On

• The 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest lived up to its billing
• There were a couple of standout performances, with Noah Lyles and Faith Kipyegon on top of the list
• We take a look at the nine-day event that was and some of the moments that fans might have found funny

The dust might have settled on the 2023 World Athletics Championships, but Noah Lyles' sentiments against the National Basketball Association(NBA) have upset a few people.

That the newly triple world champion thinks that NBA champions shouldn't call themselves 'world champions' has rubbed a few people the wrong way, with two-time champion Kevin Durant leading the onslaught.

But amidst all the back and forth on who deserves the 'world champions' tag, it should not be lost on us that Budapest served the best of track and field action for nine consecutive days.

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From the mercurial Faith Kipyegon to the inspirational comeback of Yulimar Rojas to the dominance of Lyles and Grant Holloway, the 19th edition of championships delivered.

Funniest moments of 2023 World Athletics Champs

Behind the lanes of the breathtaking performances were some witty remarks and actions as well. Sports Brief reflects on the just concluded event and some of the funniest moments that would be endeared to many fans.

1. Lyles vs. Fred Kerley trash talk

Why don't we start with the star of the moment? Bar Kipyegon and Femke Bol, to some extent, Lyles was the outright standout performer in Budapest.

The American is always cocky and vocal about what he wants to achieve. He might have failed to break either of Usain Bolt's records, but he did take over from Fred Kerley as the 100m world champion.

Prior to the races, Kerley had assured Lyles that he would run faster than him no matter what time he posted.

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"That's what they all say until they get beat!" Lyles responded subtly.

And beat him, he did! Doesn't matter that Kerley was eliminated in the semis.

They then combined to finish Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs off.

"No one cares about that man."

2. Anthonique Strachan and Youhuu

Bahamian athlete Anthonique Strachan was seated silently in the 'q room', perhaps still a little bit winded after running the 200m women's semifinal.

The 30-year-old sat pensively waiting to see if she had made it through to the finals when Youhuu, the games' official mascot, crept out from behind the sofa and gave her a scare.

The moment was captured live on camera, with Strachan taking it well. She shared a warm hug with Youhuu before learning she had made it through to the finals as one of the best losers.

3. Carey McLeod and the crazy long jump

Day 6 of the championships(August 24) was full of drama. It was the day Lyles(he was everywhere) and his fellow men's 200m semifinalist were involved in a buggy accident before Youhuu pranked Strachan.

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But in between was perhaps the most hilarious moment in Budapest. Jamaican long jumper Carey McLeod slipped on the board as he took off and ended up landing on his face.

As Sports Brief reported, McLeod must have gotten his feet mixed up, given that he is also a triple-jumper. The slip saw him become airborne momentarily, almost as if from a superhero movie, before landing past the eight-metre mark.

He literally invented a new sport!

4. The man with the high-fives

Before an athlete takes to the track or field, most of them are usually anxious and pensive and any kind-hearted acts could go a long way in calming them down.

A steward at the National Athletics Centre understood the assignment. In a video shared by World Athletics, the man was seen 'high-fiving' the women's shot put participants as they made their way to the field.

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Ordinarily, this would be a heartwarming moment, but the way he mixed up his hi-fives makes for hilarious viewing.

It's the small things that always matter.

Well, that was a fun week of all-rounded action in the Hungarian capital. Tokyo 2025, what have you got?