Noah Lyles really made a name for himself during the 200m semis at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. He clocked an impressive 19.51 seconds, which is the fastest time in the world this year, setting the stage for an exciting final. That performance really highlighted why he’s still seen as one of the top sprinters out there, especially with younger talents trying to close the gap.
At the championships, 17-year-old Gout Gout, Australia’s teenage sprint sensation, just missed out on making it to the 200m final. He finished fourth in his semi-final heat with a time of 20.36 seconds. He walked into the meet with some impressive recent performances, including a national record of 20.02 seconds. Fans were really impressed with his poise, speed, and potential.
After Gout Gout’s semi-final exit, Noah Lyles gave him high praise during a post-race interview with Citius Mag. Lyles said, “I mean, more talented than I was. You know, I mean, this is nothing but great talent coming up. He’s an amazing kid. You know, you got a great head on him. You got a great team around him. You know, it’s going to be interesting to see how he develops.”
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Also, the American sprinter seems really excited about what’s ahead for Gout Gout. He mentioned, “You know, the thing that I always look for when I’m looking at younger talent is, hey, are you just going to be able to train into shape one? Because when you’re in high school, you’re able to just get like races all the time whenever you want. But as a pro, you got to race, you know, you got to come prepared already. And then two, just seeing how they put some, you know, weight room on him as time develops, you know, naturally, not just like all at once.”
The Olympic champion talked about the important things he looks for in young athletes: their consistency in training, their readiness to perform right from the beginning, how they develop their physical strength over time, and if they have a coach who’s growing alongside them. “The future looks bright for him,” Lyles wrapped up. His words really stand out—not just for the congratulations, but because they highlight a change in how we see things in track and field.
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Young athletes like Gout Gout aren’t just names to watch anymore; they’re genuine competitors. In Tokyo, dealing with Gout offered a chance to see things clearly and learn a lot along the way. Competing in major championships at such a young age brings pressure, expectations, and a fast-learning environment. Lyles’ respect for him really shows that this goes beyond just rivalry; it’s about mentorship, recognition, and the understanding that the next generation is coming in strong. But this isn’t the first time he’s cheered on another athlete during a big competition.
Noah Lyles engaged in helping out his peers
While getting ready in the call room before the heat, Noah Lyles and Canada’s Andre de Grasse spotted their Jamaican rival, Christopher Taylor, looking a bit nervous about the race. The 26-year-old is a talented 400m sprinter, but he showed up for a 200m event instead. He just wasn’t feeling very confident in himself or the race.
In his post-race interview, Lyles mentioned, “Oh yeah, we were in the call room, and me and Andre were sitting next to each other, and [Taylor] was on the other side of Andre. Andre was like, ‘Hey man, why do you look nervous?’ He was like, ‘I am nervous.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, bro, there ain’t nothing to be nervous about; it’s just a first round, it’s just another 200.’”
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Lyles went on to explain the situation, saying, “He’s like, ‘How do you not be nervous?’ I said, ‘Well, you can start by uncrossing your hands and relaxing your jaw and just realize it’s another 200; you’ll be good.’ He’s like, ‘Just do what your coach said. Your coach is probably gonna… your coach knows best.’ I’m like, ‘I’m my own coach. Do what you said; I’m pretty sure you know best.’”
Based on his own experiences and the mentality that enabled him to achieve success in the sport, Lyles offered his counsel. Having faced a lot of pressure himself, like competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics while dealing with COVID-19, he really understands the mental challenges that athletes go through. He wasn’t just going over the technical details; he was diving into Taylor’s mindset, boosting his confidence in his preparation and really helping him embrace the moment. That’s pretty cool of him to help out those in need. He definitely looks out for the well-being of others!