Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley battle words ahead 100m showdown in Budapest
Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley addressed reporters in good spirits before their anticipated race in the 100 meters this weekend.
At the World Athletics Championships, the sprint event will feature the two as the favorites, with Kerley looking to defend a title he won the previous year.
Christian Coleman, the 2019 winner, and Cravont Charleston, the newest national champion, will join them for Team USA.
Last year, Kerley led a clean 1-2-3 American sweep, with Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Bromell completing the podium places.
Lyles has now dropped to the 100m and is aiming for a double victory. He is still the clear favorite to win the 200-meter race again and join Usain Bolt in winning three straight 200-meter crowns.
Kerley, Lyles Badinage during press conference
The “Big Two” spoke on August 18 in front of the media during a news conference for the USA team. Kerley warned his countryman that the 100-meter championship was already his.
“I am Fred Kerley and it is my title. If Noah is running 9.65 seconds, then I am running faster,” he said as quoted by LetsRun.com’s Jonathan Gault.
Lyles responded;
“That’s what they all say until they get beat.”
Both were asked if they were worried about Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs.
Lyles (who beat Jacobs convincingly in Paris on June 9): “Oh I know what form he’s in. We all saw it.”
Kerley (smiling): “Nobody worried about that man.” pic.twitter.com/N4s0LuRc2n
— Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) August 18, 2023