American sprinter Kenny Bednarek has sent a chilling message to his rivals ahead of the 2025 World Championships after a blistering performance at the US National Championships. The 26-year-old clocked a personal best of 9.79 seconds to win the men’s 100m final, ahead of an elite field that included Courtney Lindsey (9.82), T’Mars McCallum (9.83), and Trayvon Bromell (9.84).
It was a defining moment for Bednarek, who has spent much of his career focused on the 200m. Now, with his sprinting range expanding, he’s proving he’s a genuine double-threat and he’s not done yet. After crossing the finish line, Bednarek confidently declared that the performance was just the beginning, insisting he still has “way more in the tank.”
His comments come after an unbeaten run in both the 100m and 200m events during the Grand Slam Track series, where he dominated in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia. That momentum carried into the national trials, where he comfortably won all three of his 100m races preliminary, semi-final, and final.
Bednarek’s performance is made even more remarkable by the fact that he experienced a cramp midway through the final. However, instead of holding back, he pushed through the pain, driven by the opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stage. “When something like that happens, you say, ‘Screw it, I’m going.’ You just gotta keep going,” he reflected.
Despite his Olympic and World Championship silver medals in the 200m, Bednarek is still chasing his first individual global title. With his current form and growing confidence, he now looks better positioned than ever to capture gold in Tokyo this September.
His declaration is also a clear signal to the likes of Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson, and others vying for sprint supremacy. As the countdown to the World Championships continues, Bednarek’s explosive rise in the 100m adds even more intrigue to an already stacked sprint showdown.
