Lyles, Richardson Back Up World Titles In Zurich

By: Gyang Dakwo

Americans Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson cemented their status as the fastest sprinters in the world this year with victories at the Weltklasse Diamond League meeting on Thursday.

Richardson, who captured her first world 100m title in Budapest last week in a sizzling 10.65 seconds, pulled away from the field over the final 30 metres in Zurich to cross in 10.88.

“Honestly, just knowing that my training has gotten me here – physically training, mentally training, emotionally training myself – to understand what it takes to finish an entire season and beyond the world championships, everything has been for one, my mind, body, and soul,” she said.

Lyles, golden in the sprint treble of 100, 200 and 4×100 relay in Hungary, held off American team mate Erriyon Knighton to win the 200 in 19.80, an impressive time in the chilly 16 C conditions. Knighton clocked 19.87 in second.

“It is business as usual,” Lyles said. “Everybody wants to beat me and everybody wants the cake and the crown, but I am not giving it to them.”

Thursday’s Diamond League was the first major meet since the world championships ended on Sunday and featured 14 winners from Budapest.

The Diamond League circuit heads to Xiamen, China on Saturday, and Brussels on Sept. 8 before wrapping up in Eugene for the final on Sept. 16-17.