The 2025 Toyota USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships witnessed one of the most dramatic moments in recent sprinting history as the Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek rivalry boiled over during the men’s 200m final. Noah Lyles stormed to victory with a world-leading 19.63 seconds, equaling the U.S. record, but his win was immediately overshadowed when Kenny Bednarek shoved him at the finish line, setting the stage for a fierce rematch at the World Championships in Tokyo.
Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek: A Race That Became Personal
The highly anticipated Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek clash lived up to every expectation on the track. Lyles, already the reigning Olympic 100m gold medalist, edged Bednarek by just 0.04 seconds in one of the tightest finishes of the season. But instead of a simple victory celebration, the race ended with Bednarek’s two-handed shove on Lyles after a tense stare-down at the finish line.
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Lyles, unshaken, responded with a spin and extended-arm celebration, while the crowd roared at the escalating drama. The brief, awkward handshake that followed only fueled speculation about the growing tension in this Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek rivalry.
Post-Race Confrontation Reveals Deeper Issues
NBC Sports caught the exchange between the two sprinters immediately after the race, and it hinted that the Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek feud runs deeper than one race.
“I expected a call,” Bednarek said live on air, addressing Lyles directly.
“You know what? You’re right. Let’s talk after this,” Lyles replied, acknowledging there was more to the story.
Bednarek ended the interview with, “We’ve got something to do and talk about. That’s all I’ve got to say,” leaving fans buzzing about what’s really fueling the Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek tension.
Setting Up a Tokyo Rematch
The Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek rivalry isn’t new. Bednarek, who won silver in the 200m at the Paris Olympics, has dominated the 200m circuit all year. Lyles, meanwhile, continues to cement himself as the face of American sprinting with his Olympic golds and world titles. This latest chapter adds another layer to their history and sets up a blockbuster rematch at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo on September 19.
With both sprinters now locked in as part of Team USA, the upcoming Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek battle could define the season and possibly the decade for U.S. sprinting.
Viral Moment Ignites Social Media
The shove quickly became the most replayed moment of the championships. Fans at Hayward Field gasped when the altercation was replayed on the jumbotron, while clips of the Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek incident flooded social media platforms, trending worldwide within hours.
Reigning World and Olympic champion Noah Lyles has withdrawn from the semifinals of the men’s 100m at the US Track and Field Championships in Oregon, despite cruising to victory in the opening heats. Lyles clocked 10.05 seconds in the first round at Eugene’s Hayward Field, the fifth fastest qualifying time, before deciding to skip the later rounds.
Although this week’s event serves as a qualifying meet for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo this September, Lyles is already guaranteed a spot on Team USA as the reigning 100m world champion. The 28-year-old sprint star also holds an automatic berth in the 200m due to his status as the defending champion in that event.
Speaking after his 100m heat on Thursday, Lyles explained that the decision was strategic. “I need races — everybody knows I started the season late due to injury,” he said. “After the 100 in London, me and my coach were like, ‘We might as well race at trials.’ It’s a free race, it’s good competition.”
Lyles emphasized that while he is skipping the remaining rounds of the 100m in Eugene, his focus now shifts to the 200m, where he intends to run all rounds. “The 200m has always been my signature event, and I want to make sure I get every possible race under my belt before Tokyo,” Lyles stated.
Lyles’ Withdrawal Raises Questions About His Fitness
The move has sparked speculation among fans and analysts about whether the reigning champion is at full fitness ahead of the World Championships. Lyles’ late start to the season due to injury has already been a talking point, and his withdrawal from the 100m semifinals will only intensify scrutiny. However, his dominant first-round performance showed flashes of his trademark speed, leaving many confident that the decision was more about preservation than concern.
A Rivalry That Track and Field Needs
Legendary sprinter Carl Lewis weighed in, saying, “The sport needs rivalries like Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek. It brings energy to track and field and makes these moments unforgettable.”
As anticipation builds for Tokyo, one thing is clear: the Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek saga has become the headline story of the 2025 track and field season.
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