Noah Lyles has revealed what he has been working on in training since narrowly edging out Kishane Thompson at Paris Olympics as he looks to obliterate him next season.
Reigning Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles has lifted the lid on the crucial changes he has made to his training as he prepares to stamp his authority on the 2025 season.
Lyles, who dramatically edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by a mere 0.005 seconds to claim gold at the Paris Olympics, is now focusing on refining his mechanics to eliminate any weaknesses in his race execution. While his superior top-end speed carried him to victory in Paris, he is now intent on sharpening his start to further cement his dominance.
Both Lyles and Thompson have already kick-started their 2025 campaigns. The American sprint king stormed to victory at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix earlier this month, clocking 6.52 seconds in the 60m event to fend off a strong challenge from Bahamian sprinter Terrence Jones.
Meanwhile, Thompson has displayed equally impressive early-season form, clocking a blistering 6.48 seconds into a -2.0 m/s headwind at the Central Hurdles Relays and Field Events, before securing another win at the Astana Indoor Meet with a 6.56-second performance.
Speaking after his triumph at the New Balance Grand Prix, Lyles disclosed the specific area he has been working on to elevate his performances even further.
“I have been really working on mechanics. A lot of today was about getting my foot and hip to work together to create a better and quicker start,” Lyles revealed.
The American sprinter has long been known for his electrifying closing speed rather than his reaction off the blocks.
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Olympic champion Noah Lyles explained one characteristic he adopted from Usain Bolt.
In the Paris Olympic final, he posted the slowest reaction time (0.178 seconds) among the eight finalists but compensated with a powerful finish to deny Thompson in agonizing fashion.
Acknowledging this area for improvement, Lyles is now determined to turn what was once a weakness into a strength.
“It is always great to have top-end speed, that is my gift, but I am more focused on my weaknesses. How well and how good can I get my weaknesses to be as good as my strengths?” he added.
Interestingly, Thompson, who was left heartbroken by his narrow defeat in Paris, had also vowed to improve every aspect of his race. Speaking last August, the Jamaican sprinter pledged to sharpen all areas of his performance without making excuses.
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Alexis Ohanian, the brains behind the women’s-only Athlos event, has agreed with Noah Lyles over the state of track and field, making big promises that will excite the sprinter.
“Everything, everything. No excuses,” Thompson told SportMax. “We sharpen what needs sharpening. If it is sharp already, we make it even sharper. It’s all about maintaining my best.”
With both sprinters making strategic adjustments, the battle for supremacy in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling rivalries in track and field.
Lyles may have taken the gold in Paris, but Thompson’s rapid progression ensures that their rematch will be one to watch.
The question now remains: will Lyles’ refined start make him truly untouchable, or will Thompson’s all-round improvements give him the edge next time they meet?
