BUDAPEST, Hungary (August 20) – Noah Lyles, Christian Coleman, and Oblique Seville secured victories in their respective semifinal heats to progress to the men’s 100m final on Day 2 of the 2023 World Athletics Championships. However, the final will miss the presence of defending champion Fred Kerley.
Lyles, anticipating a stellar performance in the final, led the first of the three semifinals with a swift 9.87 seconds, marking the fastest time heading into the medal races. Accompanying him to the final is Japan’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, who set a personal best with 9.97 seconds.
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Embed from Getty ImagesChristian Coleman, the 2019 world champion from the USA, showcased his prowess in the second semifinal, clocking an impressive 9.88 seconds. He maintained a consistent form throughout the race.
Great Britain’s world leader, Zharnel Hughes, once again had to rally after a less-than-ideal start. Coached by Glen Mills, Hughes managed to edge past Jamaica’s Ryiem Forde at the finish line, securing second place and an automatic qualification with a time of 9.93 seconds.
Forde, with a personal best of 9.95 seconds, also advanced.
In the third and concluding men’s 100m semifinal, Oblique Seville demonstrated his medal contention potential, securing a win with a relaxed 9.90 seconds. Letsile Tebogo followed closely, finishing second with 9.98 seconds.
However, the surprise of the day was USA’s reigning world champion Fred Kerley, who clocked 10.02 seconds, narrowly missing the final.
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, who finished third behind Lyles in the first semifinal, secured his spot in the final as the last time-based qualifier.
His inclusion meant that Kerley was edged out of the medal race, set to take place on Sunday night.
