Tokyo 2025: Noah Lyles drops fastest semifinal time in world championship history as Bryan Levell impresses with bold statement on title

Defending world champion Noah Lyles laid a massive gauntlet on retaining his 200m title after blasting to a world-leading time in the semis at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.

Running in the third semifinal heat, the American speedster rose to the challenge dropped by his rivals Kenny Bednarek, who won his first heat in 19.88s, and Bryan Levell's comfortable 19.78s, by making a mince meat of the field in a blistering 19.51s.

His time not only smashed his previous season's best and world-leading time of 19.63s clocked to win the US Championships, but it's the fastest time ever in world championships semifinal history and it is a clear marker of his dominance in the event.

It is also a clear indication of his readiness to defend his world title after failing to do so in the 100m with a bronze medal.

However, Lyles will face stiff competition in rising Jamaican star Level, who ran so easily in his semifinal heat and cruised to a comfortable win ahead of Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.

In addition, Bednarek is also not a pushover and could cause a major upset after the disappointment in the 100m final.

Lyles will be gunning to win his third consecutive world title, and if successful, will make him the first sprinter since Usain Bolt to achieve such a feat.