It’s the question lighting up sprinting circles and fan forums alike: who’s really the fastest man in the world right now? Noah Lyles may have strutted off the Paris Olympic stage with three golds and a crown of confidence, but the post-Olympic glow hasn’t dimmed the fire in other contenders. Lyles became a global sprinting icon with his dominance in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay last year, boldly declaring his mission to break Usain Bolt’s legendary records. But nearly a year later, the track isn’t short of challengers ready to stake their claim.
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine are all breathing down Lyles’ neck and the fans know it. Kishane was mere milliseconds away from Olympic gold in the 100m, and though a hamstring injury sidelined him for months, he’s back and hungry. Meanwhile, Simbine has been ice-cold and clinical, racking up seven straight wins. And Tebogo? The 21-year-old Botswana star seems destined to shake the sport at its roots. As the countdown to the 2025 World Championships continues, the title of “fastest man alive” as highlighted by a track and field coach feels is more up for grabs than ever and fans are loving every second of the race.
On a recent YouTube podcast hosted by Coach Rob, track analysts Anderson Emerole and Anson Henry took on a fiery debate that’s been echoing across the sprinting world: Who actually deserves the title of the fastest man alive? Anderson broke it down with refreshing honesty. “Last year, Noah Lyles won the gold medal at the Olympics. Kishane Thompson had the world lead in the 100 meters. Akani Simbine, on average, did the best throughout the season,” he said. “We’re looking at almost like three different things that were achieved throughout 2024, at least. And that’s something that should be distinctly awarded in some way, right? ” The message was loud and clear. At the center of this discussion? Noah Lyles, who has yet to make a serious 100m statement in 2025, opting instead to keep his cards close while others make their mark.
And those rivals are making some serious noise. South Africa’s Akani Simbine is putting on a masterclass in consistency, recently breaking Usain Bolt’s own record by clocking sub-10-second 100m times across 11 straight seasons. His 9.90-second run at the Botswana Grand Prix is currently the world lead and a bold warning to anyone eyeing Tokyo gold. And then there’s Kishane Thompson. The same Kishane who nearly stunned Lyles in Paris, losing Olympic gold by a microscopic five-thousandths of a second after both men clocked 9.79. That moment proved just how razor-thin the margins are at the top.
Let’s not forget the 200m either. At the Paris Games, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo didn’t just win. He rewrote history, claiming gold in a blistering 19.46 seconds to set a new African record. Noah, for all his dominance, had to settle for bronze at 19.70. With rivals now beating or nearly beating him on the biggest stages, Lyles heads into Tokyo with more to prove than ever. And with fans split, buzzing, and fiercely loyal to their favorites, this race for the crown is as much about legacy as it is about lightning speed.
Fans weigh in as sprinting stars turn up the heat on Noah Lyles
Akani Simbine’s 2025 campaign has fans downright buzzing. And rightfully so. The 31-year-old South African is carving out a season built not just on speed, but sheer consistency. It all started with his world-leading 9.90 run at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix into a stiff headwind. No frills, just a statement. Since then, he’s ripped through every meet with the quiet confidence of a man on a mission. From Xiamen’s smooth 9.99 to Shanghai’s 9.98, and that iconic anchor leg in Guangzhou where he dragged South Africa past Team USA to World Relays gold, Simbine hasn’t just been fast. He’s been inevitable. “If only Akani could start well,” one fan remarked, “he’d be collecting medals left, right & center. The way he finishes is unmatched rn.”
Another added, “Nothing more frustrating than when ppl lazily compare an individual sport like T&F to a team sport… Akani is unbeaten.” With rivalries sharpening, personal bests falling, and fans this invested, the “fastest man alive” isn’t just a title. The buzz is real, and it’s getting harder to argue against the man who’s stacking wins like dominoes. Of course, Noah Lyles’ throne still looms large. Let’s not forget! This is the guy who broke Michael Johnson’s American 200m record at the 2022 World Athletic Championships in Oregon, tearing through the line in 19.31 seconds. Then came Paris: triple Olympic gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m. Legendary.
Yet, 2025 has been quiet for the reigning king, with fans pointing out, “Noah Lyles has individual gold medals—four from World Championships, one from the Olympics. There is nobody currently running anywhere near that level of consistency.” And still, the competition has only gotten fiercer. That’s what makes this season so electric. The crown may still sit with Noah, but the contenders aren’t just circling. They’re clawing at the door. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo has fans in awe of his raw talent and rapid rise. The 21-year-old phenom, who broke the African 200m record last year with a jaw-dropping 19.46 in Paris, is slowly ramping back into form.
His recent 20.10 win at the Diamond League didn’t break records, but it didn’t need to. He eased up before the line. One fan made it clear, “I still say the most underrated 100m runner is Letsile Tebogo.” Add to that Kishane Thompson, the Jamaican with a world-leading PB of 9.77 and a razor-thin loss to Lyles in the Olympic 100m final. Injuries may have stalled his momentum, but fans haven’t forgotten. “The person who has the PB is Kishane Thompson. End of the story,” declared one follower, cutting through the debate with numbers. The potential is undeniable. If healthy, Kishane remains one of the most explosive threats in the field.
And don’t think Kenny Bednarek has been left out of the conversation. The “Kung Fu Kenny” persona isn’t just branding. It’s battle-tested grit. After silvers at the Tokyo Olympics and Worlds (the latter earned on a broken foot), he’s showing signs of returning to top-tier form. “You guys are forgetting Kenny B Consistency leads to perfection. With his current form, he’s dangerous,” reminded one fan. And they’re right. Bednarek’s not just flashy. He’s fierce. The bottom line? Track and field isn’t short on firepower. It’s now a battlefield.
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