Noah Lyles says he can break 400m WR

Wheelchair division?

😂

He didn't say he CAN break it, he said he'd like to take a SHOT.

The dude is a far better 200M runner than 100M. He genuinely could have a chance, given his PR is 19.31 and there are several 400M athletes that run sub 44 and have slower 200M times than him.

Michael Johnson's PR was 19.32 as we all know, and he went on to run 43.18

I could absolutely see Noah Lyles running the quarter and honestly might even go as far as saying he'd be better in that event than the 100M. His top speed is unmatched.

Remember, Fred Kerley ran 43.6 back in the day but he still kicks ass as a 100M/200M guy. Michael Norman could too (once he gets his act together). There's no reason Lyles wouldn't be able to especially with how fast his 200M PR is.

Stop, you'll only encourage him.

Good. It's about time we see a damn sub 43, whoever it may be.

We’ve seen countless athletes that start at 400m and move down, but who in history has moved up, apart from Jareem Richards, who was kind of already a quarter miler, but not a specialist.

Also, by his logic of “faster 100m and 200m PRs” than 43 second 400m runners does not equate. Sure, the potential might be there, but then Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, and anyone in history who’s run under 9.8 and around 19.5 ‘might have a shot at breaking 43’. It’s a different event. There’s a reason 43 second 400 runners don’t typically break 10 seconds in the 100, and there’s another reason why 9.80 runners don’t break 44 in the 400.

He’s gotten heavier to be better than in the 100. Tebogo meanwhile is leaner and has the 43.0 400m split. Tebogo is by far the better bet.

It would be interesting to watch for this reason. Maybe he only runs 44.x. Makes a fun show, either way.

You're right, it is a far different event, but speed remains the priority regardless. 19.3 speed is no joke. The 200M is interesting because it can go one of two ways - either you can run a fast 200M because you have incredible top speed from running the 100M, or it can be because your speed reserve is palpable from being able to run a fast 400M.

Bolt, Blake, Gay, etc may or may not have been good 400M runners. Who knows. Personally, I don't think so. They are pure block speed runners, not necessarily speed-endurance.

I notice that Lyles can't get out really aggressive though, however, especially in the 200M, he always comes back at the end once he hits his top speed.

He was interviewed by Sharpe and Ocho, good interview there by all parties.

Obviously talking crazy but this one is at least justifiable. He's always been a long sprinter - Braunman originally wanted him to do the 400 - and his dad is a 4x400 world champion, and his brother is world junior champion in the 400 (people who remember Josephus vs. Michael Norman in HS will be disappointed where he ended up)

19.3 is legit speed and I could see him going 43 low with if he focuses on it for 2-3 years

He realized the 100m WR he said he will break is out of reach. Probably thinks the 200 WR might also out 9f reach so he will say this.

When he runs 1 or 2 and can't get that WR he will say he is going for the LJ WR and on and on

NL is tiresome

He has the speed to do it. The 400m WR is by far weaker than the 100 or 200. If Bolt had really wanted to and trained for it, he probably could have put that WR in the 42.7-42.8 range in his prime.

Lyles may actually have a better shot at the 400 WR than the 200. Easily a better shot than 9.58.

But to clear I don’t think he goes 43.02 or better, just saying it is possible

No, Shannon Sharpe specifically asked Noah what he thought he could run in the 400. He was just answering the question he was asked.

if noah lyles wants to bring attention to the 400, im all for it!

he would definitely do well if he committed. but i doubt he will.

It won't happen, but the 1-2% chance he could do it is better than the 0.0% chance he has at 9.58