Noah Lyles capped off a marvellous season with victory in the world 200m final in 19.83 seconds. Lyles, the clear pre-event favourite, having run the fourth fastest time in history earlier in the season.
With the withdrawal of compatriot and fiercest rival Christian Coleman it would require an outstanding display from someone else to take the title from the charismatic Florida-based runner, but that never materialized. Lyles did not get close to the time of 19.50 he managed in Lausanne, but the 22-year-old did not need to push himself to the limit as he collected his first global title. “So many times I thought in my brain I’m going to be world champion this year,” the American said. “I have it on my phone, I’ve been saying it since the season started, every day I’ve been hitting my car window on the way back from practice saying, ‘I’m going to be world champion this year,’ as the music blasted out. “This is my first one and I don’t know a lot of people who can say they came to their first world championships and grabbed the gold.”