‘Kung Fu’ Kenny Bednarek has captured attention with his stellar performance at the Paris Olympics. After a standout win at the Doha Diamond League with a time of 19.67 seconds, he qualified for the Summer Games. He then secured a second-place finish at the U.S. Olympic trials, clocking 19.59 seconds in the 200m and 9.87 seconds in the 100m. At the Paris Olympics, Bednarek clinched another silver medal in the 200m with a time of 19.62 seconds.

Bednarek’s success is deeply rooted in the support of his mother, Mary Bednarek, and his long-time girlfriend, Sharmila Nicollet. Both were there to celebrate his achievements, with Bednarek attributing much of his success to Nicollet’s influence. In a candid interview shared by Track Spice on X, Bednarek praised Nicollet, saying, “If I didn’t meet my girlfriend in 2020, I wouldn’t be who I am today. There wouldn’t be a Kung Fu Kenny.” He credited her as being “90% of the reason why I’m the pro athlete I am today,” highlighting her crucial role in his Olympic journey.

As Kenny Bednarek prepared for the Olympics, he made crucial adjustments to his diet and recovery routine with significant guidance from his girlfriend, Sharmila Nicollet, a world-class golfer. On a recent episode of “The Running Effect” podcast, Bednarek praised her influence, saying, “She helped me find the right people for recovery, diet, and everything else.” He added, “Without her, a lot of things wouldn’t have worked.”

Bednarek’s career is a testament to his resilience and dedication, as showcased by his performances at the Paris Olympics and previous races. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he ran 19.68 seconds, narrowly missing gold, which was won by Canada’s Andre De Grasse with a time of 19.62 seconds. At the 2022 World Championships, he finished second with a time of 19.77 seconds.

Despite not securing gold, Bednarek remains steadfast in his routines and embraces his role as the underdog. He shared, “I always show up, no matter what, but I don’t really get that much attention – I’m always the underdog and I love being the underdog.” With Sharmila by his side, supporting his training and diet, Bednarek stays focused on making history on the track. But did you know Sharmila Nicollet has had an impressive journey of her own?

Who is Sharmila Nicollet, the powerhouse behind Kenny Bednarek’s success?

Kenny Bednarek’s girlfriend, Sharmila Nicollet. Sharmila isn’t just any girlfriend—she’s a pro golfer and a former swimming prodigy with a whopping 72 sub-junior medals to her name. Born on March 12, 1991, in what’s now Bengaluru, India, Sharmila grew up in a unique environment that shaped her into the powerhouse she is today.

She started as a junior swimming champ, bagging 72 medals in just four years before switching gears to golf. By 2006, she was representing India in the Asian Games and the Pacific Junior Golf Tournament. Fast forward to 2009, when she turned pro, and in 2010, she was crowned Player of the Year. Sharmila has spoken openly about the challenges women face in professional golf in India, especially when it comes to financial rewards. But even a pandemic couldn’t slow her down—that’s when she met Kenny Bednarek, and sparks flew.

Three years later, their relationship is still going strong, with the couple sharing their globe-trotting adventures on social media. On their fourth anniversary, Sharmila posted on Instagram, “Happy 4 year Anniversary baby. Too many amazing memories, adventures worldwide and hairstyles to choose from 06-01-2020………to be continued.”

Kenny Bednarek, with Sharmila by his side, has never been more driven. He said, “Competing in three events this year has taught me so much, and it’s only fueled my hunger for more. LA 2028 is in my sights and I’m aiming for one thing: 3 gold medals.” After all those silver medals, Kenny’s got his eyes set on the ultimate prize—gold.

As Kenny Bednarek ramps up his training for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, his relationship with Sharmila remains a rock-solid foundation, giving him the stability and motivation he needs. So, what do you think of this power couple and Kenny’s shoutout to Sharmila? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!