Noah Lyles matches Usain Bolt after cruising to fourth consecutive world 200m gold
American sprinter Noah Lyles scorched to his fourth successive world 400m gold with a trademark performance in Tokyo. Olympic champion Rai Benjamin finally ended his long wait for a 400m hurdle gold, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden capped off a stunning day for the USA with 200 metres gold.
New Delhi: American sprinter Noah Lyles produced another trademark performance to bag his fourth successive world 200 metres gold at the Japan International Stadium on Friday. Lyles made a late surge to the line and claimed the win in 19.52 seconds by pipping compatriot Kenny Bednarek, who claimed silver in 19.58.
Lyles, who finished third in his defence of the 100m title on Sunday, celebrated in trademark fashion by lifting four fingers in the air after crossing the line. Courtesy of the stunning win, Lyles matched Usain Bolt, who won four in a row from 2009-15.
While Lyles celebrated his fourth title, Bednarek cut a sorry figure after yet another second-paced finish on the global stage. The American now has two world and two Olympic silvers in 200m.
Bryan Levell of Jamaica took bronze in a personal best 19.64, edging past Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, to win his nation's first medal in the event since Bolt's historic sprint double in 2015.
Benjamin survives DQ scare to end long wait
Earlier, Olympic champion Rai Benjamin finally won the 400 metres hurdles in 46.52 seconds to claim his first world championship gold medal after two silvers and a bronze.
The American athlete clinched the top podium spot after surviving a DQ scare when he was initially disqualified for crashing into the final hurdle and impacting other athletes. However, his appeal was quickly upheld, and the 28-year-old was restored to the top of the timesheet.
Brazil's Alison Dos Santos took home the silver, finishing the race in 46.84, while Qatari Abderrahman Samba won bronze in 47.06.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden completes Tokyo sprint double
American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden completed the sprint double with a win in the 200 metres in 21.68 seconds. Jefferson-Wooden joined an elite list and became the fourth woman to achieve the feat.
The 24-year-old sprinter ran the fastest time of the year to wrap a sensational season in style, adding another gold medal to the 100m title she won on Sunday.
Britain's Amy Hunt finished in a distant second position but did enough to win a silver in 22.14. Double defending champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica settled for bronze in 22.18.