Noah Lyles wins 100-meter world title in Budapest

He will compete in the 200-meter later this week.

August 21, 2023, 1:49 PM

In 9.83 seconds, American Noah Lyles sprinted to gold with the fastest 100-meter of his life at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday -- less than a year from the Olympic Games in Paris.

The 26-year-old sprinter best known for two world titles in the 200-meter put on a show at the National Athletics Centre.

PHOTO: Noah Lyles, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Men's 100-meter final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 20, 2023.
Noah Lyles, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Men's 100-meter final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 20, 2023.
Matthias Schrader/AP

After just barely qualifying for the event with a third-place finish at U.S. nationals last month following a bout with COVID-19, Lyles was in top form Sunday when he sped from fifth at the halfway point to finish first, snatching the world title.

PHOTO: Noah Lyles, of the United States, center, crosses the line to win the gold medal in the men's 100-meters final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Aug. 20, 2023.
Noah Lyles, of the United States, center, crosses the line to win the gold medal in the men's 100-meters final ahead of Zharnel Hughes, of Great Britain, bronze, and Oblique Seville, of Jamaica, during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Aug. 20, 2023.
Petr David Josek/AP

Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain, also first-time medalists in the 100, took home silver and bronze, respectively.

Lyles is nipping at the heels of all-time great Usain Bolt, who famously completed the 100-200 double at both the Olympics and world championships from 2008 to 2016 before he retired in 2017.

The Jamaican sprinter holds the current world record in the 100 at 9.58 seconds and the 200 at 19.19 seconds, both of which he set in 2009 at just 23. Lyles has vowed to break Bolt's record in the 200.

PHOTO: Gold medalist Noah Lyles of Team United States reacts after winning the Men's 100m Final during day two of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on Aug. 20, 2023 in Budapest.
Gold medalist Noah Lyles of Team United States reacts after winning the Men's 100m Final during day two of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on Aug. 20, 2023 in Budapest.
David Ramos/Getty Images

Lyles will be back on the track Wednesday to compete in the 200-meter heats. He will also compete in the 4x100 meter relay as he looks to win three gold medals.