Noah Lyles Sprints to World Lead in 9.79s!

Noah Lyles has claimed the world lead in the 100-meter dash, winning the U.S. national championship with a time of 9.79 seconds. This mark matches his personal best and easily surpassed the competition at Icahn Stadium in New York on Friday. Lyles' dominant performance on July 19, 2026, also established the season's top time globally.

Robbie Baker finished second with 9.875 seconds, narrowly ahead of Lyles' rival Kenny Bednarek, who clocked 9.88 seconds for bronze. Lyles' winning time exceeded the previous world lead of 9.82 seconds set by Jamaica's Oblique Seville last month. This marks Lyles' third U.S. title in the 100 meters and his third victory in the event over the past three months, following wins in Tokyo and Italy.

Despite finding himself fifth at the halfway mark, Lyles utilized his renowned closing speed to surge ahead for a comfortable win. His rivalry with Bednarek, particularly after a tense moment in the 2025 U.S. championships, adds intrigue to their matchups. While Lyles is the undisputed best in the 200 meters, his performance in the 100 meters continues to impress.