"I know it is a great Anime" - Noah Lyles turns to watch 'One Piece' after two failed attempts to complete the hit TV series

By Animesh Pandey

Modified Sep 09, 2024 04:43 GMT

Noah Lyles is currently gaining limelight for his newfound love for the popular anime series 'One Piece'. The Olympic champion recently took to social media to talk about it.

In one of his latest Instagram stories, Noah Lyles announced that he is going to watch the anime series again after his previous two attempts to complete the first season failed.

The Olympic champion said in the video,

"Ladies and gentlemen, here we are, as Junelle's [Junelle Bromfield, Noah Lyles' girlfriend] my witness. Today I'm starting One Piece. I've tried twice. I've read the manga for 50 chapters, and I've watched about 10 to 12 episodes. I think I'm truly prepared on this journey now."

Even Lyles's girlfriend and Jamaican sprinter Junelle Bromfield found the sprinter's newfound endeavor hilarious. The 27-year-old continued,

"....And I know it's a great Anime, and I know there's a lot of fillers in as well...."

When Bromfield asked if Lyles had enough time, he remarked in his casual style:

"I have time at this point in this season, yes. I should be done before December."

Noah Lyles has been on a break ever since he got diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Paris Olympics, only days before the finals for the 200m event. Though Lyles chose to participate, he could only manage to maintain his place on the podium with a bronze medal. He was forced to miss out on the rest of the season of the Wanda Diamond League 2024.

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Noah Lyles and his love for Anime

Noah Lyles showing the 'Goku' move after winning the 100m finals at the Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

The Olympic athlete's love for anime is not a secret. In fact, when he won the 100m event at the Paris Olympics, he made the signature Goku pose by pressing his wrists together, as a tribute to the iconic character from Dragon Ball Z.

When Akira Toriyama, the creator of the manga series 'Dragon Ball', passed away in March 2024, Lyles wrote an emotional tribute for him. With a photo of his iconic pose from a previous athletic meet, the 27-year-old wrote,

"...... If you ever wonder why I reach my hands to the sky before my best races it's bc Goku did. This is the great effect that the creation of Akira Toriyama has had on my life. You have inspired more than you can ever imagine. RIP to a creator and inspiration to millions!"

In 2019, Lyles dyed his hair silver as a tribute to Goku. To quote his interview with The Washington Post,

"In Dragon Ball Z, Goku's final stage or form, is Ultra Instinct. His hair turns silver/ gray. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to make [it to] the team. I'm in my highest state."

Noah Lyles had won just a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the men's 200m event. However, defying all expectations, he won the Olympic gold medal in the men's 100m event, something the USA had been yearned for two full decades.