By Mitch Phillips

TOKYO (Reuters) -Noah Lyles began his bid for a fourth successive world 200 metres title in relaxed fashion on Wednesday when he cruised through his heat in 19.99 seconds.

However, fellow Americans Kenny Bednarek and Courtney Lindsey, and Botswana’s Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo posted reminders that he will have to earn that medal.

Lyles, who got bronze in the 100 metres as Jamaican Oblique Seville took his title, looked relaxed before, during and after his heat.

“The body is feeling good and definitely waking up,” he said. “The goal here was to blast through the first 100m and I got that done.

“I knew I had the race under control and decided not to push too much because I still have two more runs. When I get to the final I don’t know. I guess we will have to see.

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