Christian Coleman’s turbulent 2025 season took another unexpected turn following an on-track confrontation with 18-year-old rising sprint star Maurice Gleaton. The incident unfolded at the Star Athletics Sprint Series on Saturday, June 14, where the teenage sensation delivered a remarkable performance that outshone the veteran sprinter in both the 100m prelims and final.
Coleman, the 60m world record holder, posted respectable times of 10.03 seconds in the prelims and 9.93 seconds in the final. However, those efforts were eclipsed by Gleaton’s blistering 9.87 in the prelims and 9.82 in the final, securing back-to-back victories over the seasoned athlete.
While the races were a showcase of elite sprinting, they were overshadowed by a post-race altercation between the two competitors. Witnesses noted that as Gleaton crossed the finish line in the final, he glanced back at Coleman a gesture perceived as disrespectful. Tensions flared when Coleman approached Gleaton moments after the race, leading to a heated exchange of words. The confrontation nearly escalated physically before other athletes intervened to separate them.
Gleaton, caught in the moment, reportedly taunted Coleman by asking, “How do you get rolled by an 18-year-old?” This added fuel to the fire, prompting a flurry of reactions on social media. Gleaton later posted a celebratory message on Instagram that appeared to target Coleman, further stoking the controversy.
However, within hours, Gleaton took a more conciliatory tone. In a private message later shared publicly, the teenager apologized to Coleman and expressed admiration for both him and fellow sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson. Gleaton clarified that his actions were fueled by excitement and youthful exuberance rather than any intent to disrespect. He acknowledged the significance of racing against someone of Coleman’s stature and asked for forgiveness.
Coleman responded with grace, accepting the apology and offering words of encouragement to the young sprinter. He praised Gleaton’s performance and welcomed him to reach out anytime for advice or mentorship. The exchange, once made public, helped defuse the situation and signaled a truce between the two athletes.
This latest incident adds to a challenging year for Coleman, who has struggled to find top form in 2025. Despite consistently making finals, he has not clinched an individual win, with placements ranging from third to fifth across multiple competitions including the Tom Jones Memorial and the Xiamen Diamond League.
As the season unfolds, attention remains fixed on whether Coleman can rebound and reestablish his dominance and whether Gleaton’s rapid rise is just the beginning of a new era in sprinting.
