American track star Noah Lyles runs with Yu Gi Oh! cards at 2024 US Olympic Team Trials
American track star Noah Lyles has pulled out all the stops ahead of the Paris Olympics later this month, brandishing Yu Gi Oh! cards on the blocks of every race he started at the US track and field trials in Oregon.
The “fastest man alive” and reigning world champion is the hot favourite to take out the 100m and 200m at the Games, after claiming Bronze in the Men’s 200m in 2020.
While his speed appears unrivalled among the current crop of competitors, it’s the 26-year-old’s nostalgic passion for the Manga series that’s caught the eye of fans and broadcasters.
Lyles wears his "heart of the cards" on his sleeve. Credit: Dexerto/X
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Lyles pulled out Blue Eyes White Dragon. Credit: Dexerto/X
Prior to blitzing the field in the 100m, the sprinter twirled a revered Blue Eyes White Dragon card on the blocks as he waved it in front of the camera and poked out his tongue.
Revealing the method behind his madness in a post-run interview, Lyles said the shenanigans involved a bet with a world champion shot putter.
“Me and Chase Ealy have a bet going on, she said If I pull out a Yu Gi Oh! card each round, she’ll wear the Rocky weighted shoes and drop weights during her finals.
“So I gotta’ live up to my part of the deal so she lives up to her part of the deal.”
He followed up the 100m with a new set of cards for his other favoured event.
Lyles shows off the Manga card pre-race. Credit: Zach Margolius
Sprint king Noah Lyles. Credit: Noah Lyles/Instagram
“I pulled out Exodia (card) for the finals of the 100m, but now it’s time to build the whole thing,” he said post-run.
“I got the left and right arms (today) and I’ve got the legs coming tomorrow.”
Lyles revealed while some of the cards in his possession were fairly common, his rarer collectibles might fetch $500.
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Proving his fun wasn’t over, the sprinter shared an Instagram video of himself in a Gucci cardigan sporting a full suite of Exodia cards that threw fans into a frenzy.
“Ain’t no way, was this in the carry-on or checked bag 😂,” one person commented.
“He’s a maniac he summoned Exodia and has a Blue Eyes chillin’ in the deck for the next pull 🔥 🔥🔥,” another said.
Lyles holds up his Yu Gi Oh! cards. Credit: Noah Lyles/Instagram
With an estimated 35+ billion cards sold this century, the cards became popular following the success of the mid-1990s hit TV show of the same name.
Declaring his love of anime publicly, the runner’s interests span fashion, art, as well as documenting his success through his personal docuseries released to AppleTV in 2023.
Lyles will be hoping his belief in the ‘heart of the cards’ will equate to Olympic success when he hits the ground running in Paris.