FAYETTEVILLE (Feb 15) — Olympic champion Noah Lyles claimed victory in the men’s 200 meters at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville on Saturday (13), marking his first appearance in the short track discipline since 2021. Lyles finished with a personal best of 20.56 seconds at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting.
Following the race, Lyles engaged with the crowd, which responded with cheers, and several athletes took photos and videos as he walked off the track holding a championship belt. He expressed his excitement about the fans’ energy.
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“It makes me want to put on a show,” Lyles said. “Everybody loves a good show, and I’m here to entertain. So when they give the energy back, I’m here to give them something.”
Lyles powered down the straightaway to finish ahead of Cheickna Traore, who clocked 20.63 for second, with Randolph Ross taking third in 20.78. Udodi Onwuzurike, who finished fourth, was later disqualified for a lane violation.
The Tyson Invitational race was Lyles’ third of the season, following two 300-meter races in mid-January. He posted 32.60 seconds to win at the Jimmy Carnes meet in Gainesville, Florida, on Jan. 16, and then improved that time when he clocked 32.14 seconds at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on Jan. 24.
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On Friday, Lyles’ training partner and the 2025 NCAA champion Jordan Anthony ran a personal best and world-leading 6.43 seconds to win the men’s 60 meters, beating Tennessee’s Traunard Folson (6.49 PB) and Davonte Howell (6.52).
Also at the meet, St. Lucia 2024 women’s 100 meters Olympic champion Julien Alfred posted a world-leading 6.99 seconds in the women’s 60 meters. Khaleb McRae set a world record in the men’s 400 meters with a time of 44.52.
