Rival Kenny Bednarek physically collides with Noah Lyles in the aftermath of the 200m US championships final race.
In the world of track and field, the rivalry between Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek has reached boiling point. The latest chapter unfolded at the USA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where Lyles and Bednarek went head-to-head in the 200m final.
The race was a thrilling spectacle, with Lyles, the three-time world champion and reigning 100m Olympic gold medalist, reeling in Bednarek on the final stretch to claim victory in 19.63 seconds. The margin of victory was a mere 0.04 seconds, a testament to the fierce competition between the two athletes.
As they crossed the finish line, Lyles turned to stare down Bednarek, an action that was followed by a two-handed shove from Bednarek. The physical altercation was a shocking moment that added fuel to the growing feud between the two athletes. The incident was followed by continued exchanging of words as they moved away from the track and even during the NBC post-race interview.
Bednarek hinted at unresolved tensions, suggesting, "Noah is going to be Noah," and adding, "At the end of the day, he's fresh. Last time we lined it up, I beat him, that's all I can say. Next time we line up, I'm going to win." Lyles, however, refused to speak about the feud after Sunday's race, only saying, "Let's talk after this."
The pair will meet again at the World Championships in Tokyo next month, where both are favorites in the 200m. The incident in Eugene has set up a highly anticipated rematch between the two athletes.
Historically, Bednarek has shown strong performances against Lyles, including at the 2024 Olympics where he won silver while Lyles earned bronze, partly affected by battling COVID-19. It's not clear what the disagreement is about, but the heated argument after the race and the physical altercation have certainly added an extra layer of intrigue to their rivalry.
One thing is for sure, the rivalry is marked by close, competitive finishes and increasing personal intensity. As the pair prepare to face off again in Tokyo, sports fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this exciting story.
In contrast to the intense rivalry in track and field, it seems there's also a growing rivalry in the world of American football, as Noah Lyles's aggressive style on the track has earned him comparisons with some of its star players. Furthermore, it would be fascinating to witness a game between Lyles and Bednarek, if they were to compete in a friendly game of American football, showcasing their athletic prowess in a different sport.
