As he gears up to defend his world titles in Tokyo, Japan, later this year, Noah Lyles has opened up about one of the biggest challenges he has faced throughout his career. The reigning Olympic 100m champion admitted that his ability to reach top-end speed has been a persistent struggle, making it an area he has worked on for years.
Speaking on the Toure Show, the triple world champion acknowledged that while he excels in many aspects of sprinting, he has always found it difficult to work on his weaknesses. Unlike his strengths, which come naturally to him, improving his weaker areas has required extra effort and discipline.
One of the key factors affecting his sprinting ability is his flat feet, which make it harder for him to generate the same kind of explosive power that other sprinters achieve more naturally. This challenge has particularly impacted his start in the 100m, where he struggles to come out of the blocks as fast as his competitors.
“It’s easier to work on my strengths, but it’s hard to work on my weaknesses. If I can make my weakness my strength, then I’ll be unbeatable. My weak point is my ability to get up to top speed,” Lyles admitted.
To counter this, he has had to put in extra effort to ensure his feet are properly engaged and positioned for maximum efficiency. He noted that his foot placement is not always at the ideal angle, which further complicates his acceleration.
“I have flat feet that don’t engage like other people’s do naturally. I have to work on it every day and make sure that my feet are prepared. Probably I’m not in the right angle, and I also have to work on that,” he added.
Lyles compared his style to that of other sprinters, pointing out that some athletes are exceptionally good at getting up to their top speed quickly but struggle to maintain it. He, on the other hand, is known for his ability to sustain his maximum velocity, allowing him to overtake competitors in the latter stages of the race.
At the Olympic Games, he was the slowest out of the blocks but used his strong finishing speed to secure victory. He ultimately won by just five-thousandths of a second ahead of his closest competitor, Kishane Thompson.
“At the Olympics, I was the last… everybody has a gift. Some athletes are very good at getting to their top speed, but their top speed might not be that high,” he explained.
This season, Lyles faces intense competition as he aims to defend his titles at the World Championships in Tokyo. He will have to overcome fierce rivals such as Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, Letsile Tebogo, Fred Kerley, and Kenny Bednarek, all of whom are strong contenders for the top spots.
With his relentless work ethic and focus on improving his weaknesses, Lyles remains confident in his ability to stay ahead of the competition. His determination to turn his limitations into strengths could be the key to maintaining his dominance on the global stage.
