Kenny Bednarek (L) and Noah Lyles (R).
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has tipped American sprinter Kenny Bednarek to rival Noah Lyles in a key aspect of his Track and Field career.
Track legend Justin Gatlin has tipped American sprinter Kenny Bednarek to challenge his compatriot and rival Noah Lyles, not just on the track, but in the realm of showmanship as well.
This comes on the heels of Bednarek’s commanding performance at the Kingston leg of the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet.
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Kenny Bednarek celebrates after winning the men’s Short Sprints at Grand Slam Track.
Bednarek Steals the Spotlight in Kingston
During the Kingston Slam, held from April 4 to April 6, Bednarek was in full “showman mode” as he clinched the double in the men’s short sprints.
Beyond just winning, he brought flair and personality to the track, drawing comparisons to the charismatic Lyles.
Bednarek made headlines with the debut of his signature headgear in dramatic fashion, something that caught even Gatlin’s attention.
“Listen, Kenny understood the assignment from beginning to end, on the track and off the track,” Gatlin said on a recent episode of The Ready Set Go podcast with co-host Rodney Green.
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“At the press conference and red carpet photo shoot, he showed up dressed to impress, accompanied by a photographer dressed in all black and wearing a mask, carrying a bulletproof case. Inside was the official Kenny Bednarek headband, unveiled as part of his Grand Slam campaign,” noted Gatlin.
The headband has become a signature element of Bednarek’s persona, further solidifying his unique star power.
Bednarek’s dominance in the 100m and 200m saw him edge out top-tier athletes like Jamaican sprint sensation Oblique Seville and fellow American Fred Kerley, both of whom were part of the 2024 Paris Olympics lineup.
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Kenny Bednarek vs Noah Lyles
Kenny Bednarek clocked 7th in the 100m Paris Olympics final as Noah Lyles edged out Kishane Thompson to claim gold.
Gatlin’s co-host, Rodney Green, noted that Bednarek’s performance sent a clear message to reigning sprint king Noah Lyles.
“Kung Fu Kenny came through with the hat trick—the 100m and 200m. He’s letting everyone know, ‘I ain’t scared.’ This makes me even more excited to see Noah now. Like, where’s Noah at? This is definitely a situation for him,” said Green.
Bednarek and Lyles are expected to continue their rivalry from last season, which featured dramatic highs and lows.
Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles claimed silver and bronze respectively behind Letsile Tebogo in 200m final in Paris
However, Bednarek bounced back in the 200m, claiming silver ahead of Lyles, who took bronze—both finishing behind Botswana’s rising star, Letsile Tebogo.
With both athletes eyeing major titles in the current campaign, fans can look forward to thrilling clashes as America’s top sprinters reignite their fierce rivalry.
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