American Noah Lyles matched the fastest time in the world this year in winning the 200 meters in 19.69 seconds Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League athletics meet.
The 20-year-old former world junior champion, helped by a tailwind at the legal limit of 2.0 m/sec, set a personal best to equal South Africa's Clarence Munyai for the top 2018 time and even shock himself.
"To be honest, I'm a little scared," Lyles said. "I didn't think I would be running this fast this season, this soon. I didn't think I was ready but my body was." The showdown at Eugene, Oregon, marks the final "Pre" at 99-year Hayward Field before a major reconstruction ahead of hosting the 2021 World Outdoor Athletics Championships.
Starting one lane from the outside, Lyles made a great start around the curve and surged over the final 100 to finish .01 off Justin Gatlin's meet record.
"Everybody will just have to deal with it," Lyles said. "I'm here to dominate." London 2017 world bronze medalist Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago was second in 20.05 with Canada's Aaron Brown third in 20.07.
- Baker, Ta Lou win 100s -
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- Barshim, Crouser win -
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