OSTRAVA, Czech Republic : American sprinter Noah Lyles produced the fastest 150 metres ever recorded on Tuesday, clocking a world-best 14.67 seconds to win the event at the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting.
The Olympic 100 metres champion and four-time world 200m champion shaved a quarter of a second off the previous best mark of 14.92 set earlier this year by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
“It was about time,” Lyles said after his victory.
The 28-year-old, who has built his reputation as one of the world’s premier sprinters, said the unusual nature of the event presented a unique challenge.
“This feeling – it’s nothing new. It’s very hard to get used to running from a staggered 150 start,” he said.
“We do it in practice, but that’s without blocks. But all in all, I think that it was really good.”
South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile finished second in 14.78 seconds, while Australian teenager Gout Gout continued his rise with a third-place finish in 14.96.
The 150 metres is rarely contested at elite level but has occasionally attracted some of the sport’s biggest names, offering a test that combines the explosive start of the 100m with the speed endurance required for the 200m.
Lyles’ performance underlined his strong form as he continues preparations for the remainder of the athletics season.
