Kenny Bednarek
It’s one thing to be born with a gift. It’s another entirely different thing to use.
Kenny Bednarek could’ve just been a kid from Wisconsin who ran fast, but this kid had a dream. And as we know, it’s the dreamers that make history.
Ensuring his name became a legend, Bednarek captured the world's attention when he first claimed silver in the 200m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Following that monumental achievement, 2021 seemed to be a victory lap for Kenny. Claiming four Diamond League wins in Lausanne, Zurich, Doha, and Gateshead and another in the World Continental in Ostrava, Kenny was awarded “Most Consistent Track and Field Athlete,” Diamond League Champion, and made history as the first sprinter to ever run sub 20 in 10 wind-legal races in a single season.
Although he's encountered his share of difficulties, Kenny takes even hindrances in stride. Demonstrating his tenacity in 2022, he not only claimed silver in the World Championships 200m - just seven months after breaking a toe – but also acquired two Diamond League wins in Rabat and Rome. In 2023, shortly after suffering a grade two hamstring strain and grade three fascia tear, he made the USA team. He saw finished 5th at the World Championships 200m, followed by his complete domination in Brussels, where he earned the Diamond League title.
With his injuries a thing of the past, Bednarek has shown us that a healthy Kenny is a dangerous Kenny. With four personal bests and two coveted titles to add to his collection, this is undoubtedly the best season of his career. personal bests and two coveted titles to add to his collection, this is undoubtedly the best season of his career.
We caught a glimpse of what Kenny had in store when he started the year with a 100m win in the World Continental Tour in Kenya, followed by a personal best of 19.67 and a tremendous win at the Doha Diamond League. Victorious yet again in the Prefontaine Diamond League, he achieved two more personal bests during the Olympic trials- clocking 9.87 in the 100m and 19.59 in the 200m. This was the first time Bednarek made all three teams (100m, 200m, and 4x100m) at the Olympic trials. With the distinction of being a two-time Olympian, Kenny made certain he left the 2024 Paris Olympics decorated with silver for a second time in the men's 200m.
While it didn’t seem possible to top his already exceptional year of achievements, consistent with his character, Bednarek attained his fourth personal best at the Zurich Diamond League with an incredible 19.57 in the 200m. And finally, to conclude a most magnificent season, Bednarek bolted to glory with a spectacular win at the Diamond League meet in Brussels and the distinction of being crowned the Diamond League Champion.
In any event, witnessing the rise and reign of Kung Fu Kenny has been truly remarkable. He's transformed from underdog to 2x Olympic silver medalist, 10x Diamond League winner, World Championship Silver Medalist, 2x Diamond League Champion, World #2 in the men's 200m, and the silent warrior that's here and coming for it all.
