Battle of the Titans as Lyles, Kerley clash over 60m

The two men who have claimed the world 100m titles in recent years – Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley – aren’t shying away from stiff opposition in their first World Indoor Tour Gold meeting of the year.

The US duo will race over 60m, at the New Balance Grand Prix as they get their 2024 seasons underway at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Boston on Sunday 5 February.

Lyles, who last year succeeded Kerley as world 100m champion, has a PB of 6.51 and opened his season last weekend with a 6.63 win in Gainesville. Kerley, meanwhile, has never contested the 60m indoors, but he has the superior 100m PB: 9.76 to Lyles’ 9.83.

Others in the field to look out for include Demek Kemp, the winner in Astana last weekend in 6.55, and 2018 world indoor bronze medalist Ronnie Baker, the third-fastest man in history with a PB of 6.40.

The women’s 60m hurdles feature a mouth-watering clash between world leader Devynne Charlton, who recently improved her Bahamian record to 7.75, and world 100m hurdles record-holder Tobi Amusan.

US duo Alaysha Johnson and Masai Russell will also be formidable opponents, so too will Olympic bronze medalist Megan Tapper of Jamaica.

World champion Grant Holloway embarks on what he hopes will be his 10th successive undefeated indoor campaign in the 60m hurdles. The world indoor record-holder takes on world medalists Daniel Roberts and Trey Cunningham, as well as rising star Cordell Tinch and NACAC champion Freddie Crittenden.

Aleia Hobbs, the second-fastest woman in history for 60m and winner in Boston last year with a meeting record of 7.02, headlines the women’s short sprint field. World indoor silver medalist Mikiah Brisco and New Zealand record-holder Zoe Hobbs are also in the line-up.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards will contest the 400m, the distance at which he is the world indoor champion. He has fond memories of Boston as it’s where, in 2018, he set a meeting record over 300m.

This Sunday his main opposition will come from US duo Vernon Norwood, the world and Olympic 4x400m champion, and Elija Godwin, a 44.75 performer indoors.

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World and Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas also returns to Boston and will once again contest the 300m. She set a meeting record of 35.73 at this distance in 2021 when the competition was held on Staten Island. Nigeria’s Favour Ofili, USA’s Talitha Diggs, and Lynna Irby-Jackson are also in the field and all capable of excelling at this distance.

Both long jump contests should be highly competitive. In the women’s event, USA’s world silver medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall takes on compatriot Quanesha Burks and world and Olympic medalist Ese Brume.

Versatile jumper JuVaughn Harrison, the world high jump silver medalist, will compete in his secondary event, the long jump, on Sunday. NCAA champion Carey McLeod and 2017 world silver medallist Jarrion Lawson will provide tough opposition.

Additional reporting by World Athletics