Noah Lyles Wins US 200m, Kenny Bednarek Shoves Post-Race

At the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Noah Lyles narrowly defeated Kenny Bednarek in the men's 200-meter final with a time of 19.63 seconds, sparking a heated confrontation immediately after the race. Lyles looked over at Bednarek post-finish line to trash talk, prompting Bednarek to respond with a two-handed shove, leading to a tense exchange that continued into a post-race NBC interview. Despite shaking hands, Bednarek criticized Lyles' behavior as disrespectful and poor sportsmanship, while acknowledging Lyles was the better man that day. Their rivalry has been building, with Bednarek having bested Lyles in previous competitions, including the Olympics, where Lyles struggled with health issues. Both athletes are expected to face off again at the World Championships in Tokyo on September 19, 2025, where Lyles aims to secure his fourth consecutive world title in the 200 meters. The incident reflects the intense competition and personal animosity fueling one of American track's biggest rivalries.