"It’s for when you need some energy"- When Noah Lyles explained Dragon Ball Z gesture he does at the start of race

The American track-running sensation Noah Lyles is a dedicated Dragon Ball Z aficionado, and he has showcased his inner anime enthusiast quite a few times, especially during the beginning of his races. The runner once revealed the secret behind it and how it helped him gain energy.

With six world titles under his belt and an Olympic bronze in 2020 Tokyo, track and field athlete Noah Lyles has accomplished a number of noteworthy career highlights.

The runner is now gearing up to participate in his second consecutive Summer Games in Paris this year with the reputation of reigning triple world champion (100m, 200m, and 4x100 relay). He is considered one of the top contenders to bring glory to the United States at the latter event.

Besides his track excellence, the Gainesville-born runner is equally known for his unique persona that he often flaunts during his competitive events. One such trait is his Goku impersonations that he does during the races. During the 2020 US Olympic Track & Field Team Trials, Noah Lyles put on a show to win the 200-meter event in a world-leading time of 19.74 seconds.

However, when he was lined up at the blocks, Lyles performed the famous "spirit bomb call" maneuver from Dragon Ball Z, and when asked about it in a post-race interview, the runner stated: (via Team USA.com back in 2021)

"It’s for when you need some energy and I definitely got it today."

Noah Lyles' love for anime and manga

In several interviews and interactions, the Olympian has expressed his affection for anime. The 26-year-old runner was once asked about his favorite anime, and he replied with the famous Japanese series Fullmetal Alchemist. He stated: (via Olympics.com):

My favourite anime is Full Metal Alchemist. There are two versions – Full Metal Alchemist and Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood. I truthfully like both versions for different reasons, but I usually watch Brotherhood more."

Furthermore, Noah Lyles flaunted his silver hair during the 2019 Doha World Championships, where he won the 200m gold, and when the runner was asked about the inspiration behind the hairdo, he said: (via Washington Post)

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

The runner claimed that Cage of Eden, one of the first lengthy mangas he had ever read, is his favorite manga.