Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek gave fans a fiery moment on August 3, 2025, during the men’s 200-meter final at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. With a time of 19.63 seconds, Lyles, the defending world champion, surpassed Bednarek in the final sprint. But the show continued from there. Kenny Bednarek pushed Noah Lyles with both hands from behind just seconds after the race finished. Lyles had spun about, gazed at Bednarek, and seemed to whisper something, which set off the response. The two spoke more close to the finish line. NBC started the post-race interview right when the tense moment played out.
Kenny Bednarek pushes Noah Lyles and calls out his behavior
Kenny Bednarek didn’t hold back after the race. He admitted he was angry about Noah Lyles staring him down and talking trash after the finish.
“Don’t do that to me,” Bednarek said.
“That’s not good character. It’s a respect thing. He won today, props to him, but next time I’ll beat him.”Noah Lyles, on the other hand, stayed mostly quiet. When asked about the shove and what happened, Lyles said
, “On coach’s orders, no comment.” The two did shake hands later, but the tension remained clear.
This rivalry might not be new. Bednarek has beaten Lyles before, including during the Olympics, where he won silver.
Noah Lyles has struggled with health issues at those times, mental health in Tokyo and COVID in Paris. But now, both are in shape and expected to face off again at the World Championships in Tokyo on September 19, 2024.
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Melissa Jefferson-Wooden had a great weekend everywhere else at the event. She triumphed in the women's 100-meter final on Friday before returning to victory in the 200 meters in 21.84 seconds. With a third finish, Olympic winner Gabby Thomas confirmed her spot for the world team.
Dalilah Muhammad won the 400-meter hurdles after Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone chose to run the flat 400, which she also won.
Donavan Brazier, a past world champion, won the men's 800 meters. After coming back from a doping ban, Shelby Houlihan took first place in the women's 5,000 meters, narrowly ahead of Elise Cranny.