You know that incredible image of Noah Lyles, beaming with his infectious grin, an Olympic gold medal draped around his neck and the American flag as his backdrop? That’s the look of a champion, a guy who’s already a legend with six World Championship titles and the coveted Olympic 100m crown. But Lyles isn’t one to rest on his laurels. With the 2025 World Championships set for September, he’s already plotting his next wave of dominance, and it involves a fascinating throwback.
If you’re a track nerd like many of us, you might have noticed Lyles is playing things a bit differently this season. As RoriDunk pointed out in a recent X thread, Lyles is way more selective about his races. Think about it: by this time last year, he had already blazed through 13 competitions. This year? Only six, and that includes his indoor meets. That’s a massive change, and it’s all part of a master plan. Which master plan are we talking about?? Any guesses?
Noah Lyles is approaching the 2025 season differently compared to last season
At this point last season, he had already participated in 13 races.
this year? Only 6
— RoriDunk (@FitzDunk) May 20, 2025
Well, he’s actually dusting off his 2019 playbook. Remember how the World Championships were super late that year, in October? Well, this year’s September schedule has him thinking along the same lines. RoriDunk hit the nail on the head: “With the World Championships scheduled for September, he is taking a similar approach to 2019 that had an October championship!” So, why rewind six years for a strategy?
Well, in 2019, Lyles was all about quality over quantity. He raced just five times before heading to the Doha World Championships. The result? Pure gold in the 200m and the 4x100m relay. It was a masterclass in peaking at precisely the right moment. As the X thread recapped, “In 2019, Lyles only participated in 5 races until that point, which proved to be advantageous for him as he ended the season with a gold medal in the 200m.” Now, looking at 2025, it’s clear Lyles believes that the “less is more” approach will keep him fresh and explosive for when those starting guns fire in September. He’s smartly trying to sidestep burnout and ensure his legs are primed for the history books. And what exactly is he chasing this time?
For Lyles, what is at stake?
Man, the stakes are sky-high. Lyles isn’t just defending a title; he’s aiming to protect a trifecta at the 2025 Worlds: the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay. RoriDunk put it perfectly: “He has a lot more on the line this time! Aiming to defending 3 titles—100m, 200m and 4x100m .” And let’s not forget, he’s the guy who snatched the 2024 Olympic 100m gold in that breathtaking Paris final, clocking 9.784 seconds to beat Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by an almost invisible 0.005 seconds.
That kind of victory doesn’t just earn you a medal; it paints a giant target on your back. As the X thread rightly notes, “Being the Olympic champion in the 100m puts an even bigger target on his back and offers even more motivation to be ready to compete.” With everyone watching, Lyles is banking on his tried-and-true 2019 strategy to navigate the immense pressure and deliver a performance that could further define his already incredible career. The big question is, can he do it all over again?
Come September, all eyes will be on Noah Lyles. This isn’t just about adding more gold to an already overflowing trophy case; it’s about etching his name even deeper among the sport’s immortals. By carefully managing his races, channeling that 2019 wisdom, and staying laser-focused on peaking for the Worlds, Lyles is crafting what could be another chapter of pure sprinting brilliance. Can you just picture it? Lyles, arms raised, that signature smile lighting up the stadium, another victorious moment for the history books. If that 2019 plan brought him glory then, you’ve got to believe he can make it happen again in 2025.
The post Noah Lyles Makes Major Change to Track and Field Strategy as American Star Relying on 6-Year Old Plan appeared first on EssentiallySports.
