Jereem Richards stuns Noah Lyles to claim New Balance 300m title

World 400m silver medallist Jereem Richards launched his 2026 competitive season in spectacular fashion, by winning the men's 300m event ahead of Noah Lyles at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, on Sunday.

In a stunning performance, the Trinidadian edged out the six-time world champion in a photo finish to win the final.

Competing in the four-man race, Richards accelerated powerfully and held his form to cross the line in a blistering 32.14s. Lyles, who was widely considered the favorite, matched the Trinidadian sprinter's pace throughout but was narrowly beaten at the tape, clocking 32.15s for the second spot.

Veteran American 400m runner Vernon Norwood, finished third in 32.38s, while former world indoor 60m champion Trayvon Bromell placed fourth in 35.36s.

After the race, Richards hinted that more head-to-head battles were coming this season. Lyles nodded alongside him and later said with a smile: “Of course they are after me. They are after the greatest, so I am not going to get scared of anybody.”

Lyles previously set the U.S. indoor best of 31.87s in this event in 2017 and is entering one of the biggest years of his career, both on the track and personally, as he is set to marry Jamaican sprinter Junelle Bromfield on April 4.

Meanwhile, British record holder Dina Asher-Smith ran a well-executed to show she's bouncing back to form nicely, by winning the women's 60m final in a Season's Best (SB) of 7.08s to finish ahead of Jamaica's sprint sensation Brianna Lyston in 7.11s.

The men's category saw Jamaica's Ackeem Blake take the much needed win in 6.53s, with Puerto Rico's Eloy Benitez settling for second in 6.56s, and America's youngster Jordan Anthony third in 6.57s.