Noah Lyles secured the IAAF Diamond league 100m/200m double with victory at Friday’s (6 Sept) Memorial Van Damme, Brussels Diamond League.
Lyles, who won last week’s 100m in Zurich, returned to take the 200m in 19.74.
He was quick out of the blocks but didn’t blast off the curve as expected. Indeed, reigning world champ Ramil Guliyev was level and pushing with 80m to run. But Lyles stayed cool, pulling away and crossing for the win in 19.74, comfortably ahead of the Turkish sprinter, who clocked an SB 19.86.
Also looking good in that one was Andre DeGrasse, who was in contention until Lyles shifted gears, and earned himself an SB 19.87 and third-place finish.
“I’m pleased with my race,” said DeGrasse.
“It was a tough race, the conditions were not great, and it was really cold. It’s going to be the complete opposite in Doha. My main goal is to reach the podium there. It’s going to be hard to beat Lyles and Coleman, but I’m going to try. I still have two more weeks to put in some hard work.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richard finished seventh in 20.53, and Alonso Edward of Panana ended eight in 28.80.
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