“I definitely think that that could be attainable,” Kenny Bednarek said, on his hopes of winning three golds at the 2025 World Championships. The 26-year-old’s tall aspirations were fueled by his first-ever 100m gold at the USATF Championships in August. However, as fate would have it, Bednarek’s dreams would be crushed on two accounts: The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native missed the podium in the men’s 100m final and finished second in the 200m final in Tokyo. Now, as the final shot at glory awaits the Team USA member, Kenny spilled the beans on who will be aiding him in his quest.
On the final day of the World Athletics Championships, the men’s 4x100m relay will keep the fans on the edge of their seats. The event will be Bednarek’s last chance to save face after two disappointing results earlier in the tournament. However, he feels like the American contingent that will step onto the track at the National Stadium tomorrow is more than capable of pulling off a big win. In a conversation with Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, “Kung Fu” Kenny revealed the team to underscore how things look pretty hopeful for Team USA.
“We’ve been practicing hard and we’re ready to go,” a grinning Bednarek told the hosts of Nightcap. Talking about how the baton has often proved the bane for the USA on global stages (cue: the Americans getting disqualified from the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics because of a sloppy baton exchange between Kenny and Christian Coleman), Bednarek assured that it won’t be a problem at the Japanese capital tomorrow.
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“We always had the foot speed, but it’s more so the precision of the baton and just making sure to do our job, man. We’re going to get the job done this time,” Bednarek proclaimed with determination in his voice. Obviously, Sharpe was curious about who would be shouldering the responsibility in the relays for the US, and Bednarek wasn’t shy about providing some inside information on the matter. During the interview, the two-time Olympic silver medalist revealed his teammates for the upcoming challenge.
Sharpe promptly posited that Christian Coleman, whom the former called “the greatest starter in American history,” would start things off for the Americans, and Bednarek confirmed the hunch with a smile. “I think I’m still in second. I mean, that’s where I feel like I’m best utilized,” the track star further noted how he will be taking over the baton from Coleman. Nervous? But fret not, for Kenny assures things won’t get awry this time around. “I’m going to make sure to do my job,” he stated.
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He further elaborated that Courtney Lindsey will be the third sprinter for the USA, while the reigning Olympic champ, Noah Lyles, is set to anchor the run. “I think you know the good thing about this relay squad is, you know, Christian’s my teammate, Courtney’s my teammate. So, we already have that chemistry,” Bednarek highlighted how the first three runners can help ease the burden on Lyles.
Sounds like a plan? Yep! But there are also a number of factors that can disrupt everything in the blink of an eye.
Kenny Bednarek & Co. will need to bury old hatchets
For example, the rivalry between Bednarek and Lyles. At last month’s USATF Championships in Eugene, the two had a heated moment of exchange after the men’s 200m final. Following Noah’s surpassing of Kenny to reach the finishing line first, Lyles was seen staring the latter down, who coincidentally had gotten the better of Lyles’ poor health at the Olympics last year in the event. Subsequently, Bednarek shoved his national teammate from the back, and their on-track feud seemed to have been reignited.
However, ahead of the Tokyo World Championships, Kenny assured that they had worked things out between themselves behind closed doors and both were focused on bringing glory to the country from Asia. “As you saw, Noah stared me down. I gave a push. I feel like we both could have handled that situation a little bit differently and with more respect,” Bednarek told CNN Sports on how the entanglement in Eugene was essentially a result of the adrenaline rush during the race.
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However, memories of the 2024 Olympic Games just can’t be forgotten. The Americans were disqualified under rule TR24.7, which meant the exchange of baton between Coleman and Bednarek happened late/early. Hopefully, things don’t get as chaotic this time, as Bednarek assures they won’t! Got any predictions for the race slated for the final day of the 2025 World Championships? Tell us in the comments!