American sprinter Christian Coleman, once hailed as the future of sprinting, has experienced a rocky start to his 2025 season, prompting concerns about whether he can return to his former elite level. Once the man who brought stadiums to their feet with blistering speed, Coleman now finds himself overshadowed by younger rivals and struggling to reclaim his place among the world’s top sprinters.
Back in 2019, Coleman was at the pinnacle of his career. His 9.76-second finish in Doha not only secured him the 100m world title but also sent a clear message he was the man to beat. That performance etched his name into sprinting history, with fans and critics alike expecting a dominant reign in the years to follow.
But as the 2025 season unfolds, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Coleman, now 29, is yet to win an individual race this year. His only victory came in a team event the 4x100m relay at the Tom Jones Memorial in April. Individually, he has failed to impress, with recent defeats exposing vulnerabilities previously unassociated with his name.
At the Star Athletics Sprint Series, Coleman finished second in the 100m final, a race that highlighted how far his dominance has waned. More surprising, however, were the names of the athletes who bested him. In the preliminaries, 18-year-old high school sensation Maurice Gleaton Jr. outran him. In the final, it was Brandon Hicklin who took the top spot. These results underscore a growing belief that Coleman may no longer be the sprinter he once was.
Critics have pointed to his lack of major medals since his world title in 2019 as evidence that his best years may be behind him. Once a frontrunner expected to carry American sprinting forward, Coleman now faces stiff competition from a new generation of stars, including Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek, who have taken center stage in recent seasons.
Despite the setbacks, Coleman remains determined. In a recent social media post, he acknowledged the disappointing start to his season but expressed confidence in his abilities. He emphasized his belief in the hard work he puts in during training and his commitment to enjoying the journey, even through adversity.
With the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on the horizon, Coleman’s focus is squarely on making the U.S. team. Redemption remains possible, but time is ticking. Whether he can rediscover the explosive form that once made him a global star remains one of the most intriguing questions in the sport this year.
