AFP, Miami :
Reigning world 100metres and 200metres champion Noah Lyles cruised to a 100metre sprint victory in a wind-aided 9.96 seconds in Sunday’s Bermuda Grand Prix athletics meet.
The 26-year-old American was boosted by a 3.0m/sec tailwind in taking the victory with runner-up Aaron Brown of Canada next in 10.09 and American Pjai Austin third in 10.10.
“I thought it was a pretty well put-together race,” Lyles said. “I thought I had a pretty average start. My acceleration kicked in and I felt like it was brand new territory running fast that last 40 meters after so many 60s (indoors).
“I’m excited to finally be getting there but there’s definitely a lot to clean up.”
Lyles, a three-time world 200 champion who took third in the event at the Tokyo Olympics, said the time inspired him as his preparations for the US Olympic trials and the Paris Olympics continue.
“I see 9.96, I expect to run that at the next meet,” he said. “Definitely glad not to see 10.3 so very glad to see 9.96.”
His time, however, is not the best in the world this year. That status belongs to US 17-year-old high school senior Christian Miller, who ran 9.93 on April 20 in Clermont, Florida.
Grenada’s Kirani James, a former world and Olympic 400 champion aiming at age 31 for a fourth consecutive Olympic 400 final, won the men’s 400 in 46.00 with Alonzo Russell of the Bahamas second in 47.05.
“To have a performance, conditions are not conducive, but it is what it is,” James said. “I let the wind carry me home to the finish line.”
