The 2025 track season has barely begun, and the rivalry between Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles is already making waves! This rivalry saw them share the podium at the Paris Olympics. And while Thompson had to settle with a silver, Lyles won the gold. As the 2025 season unfolded, fans were eager to see if Thompson could finally challenge Lyles’ supremacy. However, concerns over his fitness have emerged after his season opener in Astana, casting doubt on whether he can sustain the battle.
Both sprinters opened their campaigns on different continents. While Thompson was in Kazakhstan, Lyles opened 2025 with his usual stomping grounds in the US. As expected, both sprinters won their respective 60-meter races.
But while Lyles clocked 6.62 seconds at the RADD Invitational in Florida, Thompson posted a faster 6.56 at the Astana Indoor Meet. But this rivalry of theirs is not what the hot topic is right now. Rather, it is the physical condition Kishane is in that raises eyebrows.
The Jamaican silver medalist delivered a solid performance in his indoor opener. Yet this did not turn out to be the most ideal win. The Jamaican was visibly in discomfort. For fans who have followed his career, this raised immediate concerns. Thompson has a history of injuries, from shin splints to hamstring issues, limiting his ability to race consistently at the highest level.
Just last year, he was forced to withdraw from the Silesia Diamond League after picking up a hamstring injury in the Olympic semifinals. With his immense potential, fans worry that his health could again stand in the way of a breakout season. And following this scenario, US track veterans too could not resist sharing their take on the matter. Track and field expert Rodney Green, alongside US track legend Justin Gatlin, weighed in on Thompson’s performance and the buzz surrounding his time.
“Only other thing, though, is because of this 6.48 with the negative -2, everybody is wondering, like, ‘Whoa, what’s that?’… Like, with the 6.58, and he walked away wincing a little bit,” Green commented on Thompson’s performance on the recent episode of their podcast Ready Set Go, which premiered on January 30. This brings us to the question: despite his win, is Kishane in peak performance? Because if his body language was any indication, things don’t seem that way.
Lyles, on the other hand, had a relatively controlled race at the RADD Invitational, running 6.62 seconds to win his heat. While not his fastest, it was enough to get his season rolling.
Green, having analyzed both performances, noted that Thompson’s race in Astana wasn’t as smooth as expected.“Kishane had a bad start, and he still rolled down to 6.58. I don’t think you could—or 6.56—I don’t think you could contribute; uh, you can’t read too much into his 6.5. I’d say he’s in 6.4 shape for real, right?”
But while Green suggests that Kishane could have had an even quicker time, Gatlin is of the view that the weather conditions are important too. He mentions, “The advantage is to the South… You still have warm weather—moderately warm weather—throughout the South; you still can train outdoors, and it gives them an advantage.” But the common consensus remains the same and focuses on his injury.
How Kishane Thompson chose to win his season opener without keeping any expectations
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Kishane Thompson’s indoor debut did not start as smoothly as he might have hoped. A stumble at the beginning of his 60-meter heat in Astana threatened to derail his race, but he quickly regained control, surged ahead, and clinched victory. Despite the early misstep, Thompson’s performance showcased his ability to adapt to new challenges—without any expectations weighing him down.
Summing up the excitement surrounding their rivalry, Green added, “I’d love to see them line up. You know, they raced, but they raced on different continents.” Whether their paths cross soon or not, the buzz surrounding Lyles and Thompson is only growing. However, amid rising concerns surrounding Kishane’s injury, the Jamaican sprinter threw light on how he was looking forward to his season-opening competitive sprint.
Reflecting on his sprint, Kishane shared with Athletics News, “Competing indoors is uncharted territory for me, and I have no expectations—just taking it one step at a time and enjoying the journey.” His mindset reflects a refreshing approach, one that might allow him to embrace the unknown rather than feel pressured by past performances.
Thompson’s ability to run freely without the burden of expectation is proving to be a key asset. His transition to indoor sprinting comes with its own set of hurdles, tighter turns, and quicker acceleration phases. And it will have an entirely different race rhythm. Yet, by keeping his focus on gradual progress rather than immediate perfection, he is carving out a path for himself in this new domain.
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