Ferdinand Omanyala’s top American rival Noah Lyles has revealed his weakest part of the race.
The world 100m and 200m champion won his first world indoor 60m title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow on Friday, and although he was happy at how everything panned out, he explained what big challenges he always faces.
“It was a great run. Right up among my best runs. To run 6.44, I am very impressed with myself. I’ve run three rounds. And what a great indoor season!
“The thing is – this is the weakest part of my race,” Lyles told World Athletics.
Lyles said the performance in Glasgow was his best, but that is not going to stop him from chasing more glory.
“It feels like one of my best performances – 6.44, I’m never going to be dissatisfied with that. Last year I was running 6.51, and this year I’ve put down multiple 6.4s, and these are not small 6.4s either, I’m deep into 6.4 territory and talking about 6.3 at some point.
“This is all with training that hasn’t really changed. It’s so exciting because now I finally get to do an outdoor season. The 60m is not my favourite race, but now you can’t say I’m not one of the greats in it. I’m very excited for Paris because it has all my favourite events,” he added.
Results
Lyles rival and compatriot, Christian Coleman, completed the distance in 6.41, which is the fastest time run this season and 0.2 faster than he had ever recorded.
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake won bronze in 6.46, with Omanyala, who had lived dangerously in the heats and semifinals by drifting towards the lane to his right, finishing fourth in 6.56.
Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, who had set consecutive national records of 6.54 and 6.52 in reaching the final, settled in sixth place with 6.68.
