World gold medalists Noah Lyles, Jordan Anthony, and Rai Benjamin were among the winners of the Seiko Golden Grand Prix, the third tournament of the World Athletics Continental Tour, which concluded at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday. Records were set in the women's 3000m and 400m events during the competition, as athletes showed strong form early in the season.

Multiple Olympic and world champion Noah Lyles made his first 100m run of the year. He returned to the stadium where he won the 200m and 4x100m world titles in September. Lyles started with a time of 10.05 seconds in a headwind of 1.1 m/s, and in the final improved his performance to 9.95 seconds (with a tailwind of 0.6 m/s) to win the final race of the program. His 18-year-old compatriot Tate Taylor finished second with 10.04, while another 18-year-old talent, Jake Oday-Djordan from the UK, came in third with 10.09.

"I'm happy with the run and the time," Lyles said. "This is a great way to start the season."

"It wasn't my fastest start, but it's definitely in the top five of my season openers. I'd say the journey was worth it and I'm excited to have done it in a fun place like Tokyo," he added.

His compatriots Anthony and Benjamin also claimed victories in sprint disciplines. World champion in the 60m indoor race, Anthony, won the 200m with a time of 20.05 seconds (–1.3 m/s), and world champion in the 400m hurdles, Benjamin, triumphed in the flat 40.0m race with 44.69.

In the 200m race, Curtine Lindzi made a stronger start, but Anthony executed his race perfectly with a powerful final sprint to secure a clean victory. Lindzi finished second with 20.28. The 400m race was more contested, with four athletes having a chance for the win. However, Benjamin, in his first competition since the World Championships, looked calm and won by 0.14 seconds ahead of the Olympic bronze medalist from Zambia, Muzala Samukonga (44.83).

"I think I could have performed better, but this is my first competition," commented Benjamin. "I'm happy to be back on the track and ready to push for more victories."