Ronnie is Baking: American 60m specialist fires warning at Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman with brilliant victory in Belgrade

American 60m specialist Ronnie Baker returned to competitive running with a brilliant victory at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting, thus sending a challenge warning to Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman.

The 2018 world indoor bronze medallist blazed to victory in Belgrade - the second Gold level fixture on the World Athletics Indoor Tour – on Wednesday (29), clocking a blistering Meeting Record of 6.53s, ahead of Raphael Boujo of the Netherlands in 6.56s.

Baker is the third-fastest man in history over the distance with a lifetime best of 6.40s, and his return is surely a threat to his countrymen Lyles and Coleman, as well as other rivals that he's ready to challenge for the 60m throne when it matters most.

His return only sparks the competition and anticipation ahead of the US Indoor Championships, as only three spots are guaranteed to make the American team to the World Indoor Championships.

While Baker, Lyles, and Trayvon Bromell (sixth-fastest 60m sprinter in history) have made their 2025 season debut, reigning world indoor champion Coleman is yet to race this year, which raises the level of anticipation on the form he's in following his coaching switch to Dennis Mitchell post-Paris Olympics.

Nonetheless, the level of rivalry and competition in the men's 60m event is shaping up nicely and fans can be excited about the iconic moment it is set to berth at the World Indoor Championships in March.

Meanwhile, world indoor bronze medallist Zaynab Dosso impressed in the women’s 60m with two strong runs. The Italian sprinter won her heat in a meeting record of 7.08s, comfortably ahead of Australian teenager Torrie Lewis in 7.22s.

The final was a lot closer, but Dosso emerged victorious in 7.12s while Lewis was rewarded with an Australian record of 7.14s.