Noah Lyles claimed he had Kishane Thompson ‘in his pocket’ despite beating him in their last 100m dash in Silesia, and Gatlin has now revealed what he must do to avoid another Paris situation in Tokyo next September.

Noah Lyles claimed he had Kishane Thompson ‘in his pocket’ despite beating him in their last 100m dash in Silesia, and Gatlin has now revealed what he must do to avoid another Paris situation in Tokyo next September.

 

The fierce sprint rivalry between American star Noah Lyles and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson has taken another dramatic turn following their electrifying 100m dash at the Silesia Diamond League. Although Thompson crossed the line first in 9.87 seconds, edging Lyles (9.90), it was the American’s post-race comments that have stirred the most attention.

Speaking confidently after the race, Lyles shrugged off the defeat and declared, “I still feel like he’s in my pocket.” The reigning Olympic 100m champion added, “Thompson is a great competitor, but I’ve got more levels to go. Next time, I’ll be better.”

Thompson, who remains unbeaten this season in Diamond League appearances, responded coolly to Lyles’s remarks: “Next time my pocket’s going to be so far ahead, he won’t see it.” The 23-year-old Jamaican has clocked some of the fastest times of the year, including a personal best of 9.75 seconds at the Jamaican national trials, and looks poised to challenge Lyles again at next year’s World Championships in Tokyo.

Their most recent clash in Silesia was the first time the two sprint stars had lined up against each other since the Olympic final in Paris, where Lyles narrowly claimed gold with a late surge, while Thompson settled for silver. That race served as the catalyst for one of the most exciting sprint rivalries in recent memory.

Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin has now entered the conversation, offering analysis on what Thompson must do to reverse the Paris result if he wants to defeat Lyles on the global stage.

“Thompson has the top-end speed, no question,” Gatlin told reporters. “But if Lyles is close at 60 meters, it’s going to be déjà vu. That’s what happened in Paris. Kishane needs more separation earlier in the race to hold Noah off.”

According to Gatlin, the Jamaican’s explosive start is an asset, but his transition phase—between acceleration and top speed—needs tightening. “If he doesn’t break away in that critical zone, Noah’s closing speed will eat him up again,” Gatlin warned.

Lyles, for his part, has continued to emphasize his focus on improving his start. “I don’t train much for the top end,” he explained. “I focus on my first 60 meters. If I get that right, everything else follows.”

With the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo set for next September, anticipation is already building for the next chapter in this fast-developing rivalry. Both men are expected to line up for multiple Diamond League meetings leading into the championships, setting the stage for a potential gold-medal showdown.

For now, Lyles holds both the Olympic title and a psychological edge, but Thompson’s form and fearlessness suggest he’s ready to turn the tide. Whether he can get out of Lyles’s “pocket” in time for Tokyo remains one of the biggest questions in the world of track and field.