After the Paris Olympics, 10+ Diamond League installments, and numerous other contests, the ongoing track and field season has dropped the curtain (for the short-course sprinters). While Letsile Tebogo comes out being arguably the best face of this season, Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Bednarek’s name does not trudge. Instead, with some phenomenal numbers in the book, the 25-year-old stands to be very close to the overall champions. And today, in a post on X, Bednarek reminded his fans of his jaw-dropping achievements this year. You can bet that finishing the season by taking down Tebogo is a sweet victory that’s been on his mind!

Kenny Bednarek’s X post shows him as the winner of an Olympic silver medal and 3 Diamond League victories at the end of the 2024 track and field season curtain call. But it missed out on the occasion of him settling scores with the Motswana athlete in Brussels last week. In Paris, Kenny entered the American team for the men’s 100m and 200m events. Surprisingly, he has been the only constant face in the last five years in Team USA, competing in each global contest. However, Tebogo overpowered him both times in the Paris Olympics. 

While in 100m, Tebogo humbled him at the seventh position while finishing the race 0.02 seconds early. In the 200m, the 21-year-old grabbed the top spot, while Kenny had to be satisfied with the second position. Afterward, in the Diamond League as well, Letsile’s pace had no answer from Kenny Bednarek. But the reply came last week when the American sprinter defeated the African champion in the Diamond League final. That personal moment was reflected when Kenny wrote in his post, “I’ve given everything to this sport, and it’s given me even more in return.” His fans didn’t miss it. 

Rather, in the comment box, one such fan relished the moment by claiming, “You are the only US sprinter I have any respect for. Keep ripping it Kung Fu.” Being away from the claws of injury, Bednarek will surely continue to do that in the upcoming season as well. But before that, he has plenty of time to take a glance at his extraordinary feats this season.

After 2021, it was this track and field season that earned Kenny some milestones. Three years ago he claimed the Diamond League trophy, whereas this year he had the better say in the final against the reigning Olympic champion. Furthermore, in both years, he snagged the Olympic silver, but this time, the route to it remained a memorable affair. 

In the US Olympic track and field trials this year, Kenny confirmed his position by attempting his personal best timings. While in 100m, he posted 9.87 seconds; in the 200m event, he took it to 19.59 seconds. With that timing, the Tulsa native established himself among the track and field greats, having the ownership of 25 sub-20 finishes in the 200m event. But now, at the end of the season, the number is 28, just behind Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles. But in one aspect, he toppled Bolt. 

This season, Kenny has achieved 5 finishes in the 200m event that fall under the sub-19.70 second category. Usain Bolt had 4 in 2009, whereas Noah had 7 in 2022. However, his fans have manifested their hopes in him to come out fiercer next season. With that, there have been a few more words for him in the comment box. 

Kenny’s mom joins track and field fans to celebrate the accomplishments

Spending his childhood in a foster home, Kenny Bednarek has believed in the true value of success. In his life journey, that lesson has become his northern light, and thankfully, he has always found his family along with him. In Paris as well, Kenny’s foster mother, Mary Ann Bednarek, was present to witness her son’s endeavor. The result left her teary-eyed. Now, when her son posted to cherish his track and field season, the loving mom penned down, “You deserve everything you have won. Hard work equals success, and you sure worked hard! Enjoy the fruits of your labor, you earned it.”

Meanwhile, the baton of fandom was passed to someone else. That fan expressed the overall joy of seeing Kung Fu Kenny on the track. Subsequently, he/she commented, “I had a lot of fun cheering for you and I was happy seeing you take some hardware with you. Here’s to a whole lot more!” But as they say, the best is yet to come.

Kenny has also a route to cover. So before that, a few fans reminded him about his target. One such follower commented, “Respect Champ. Your best is yet to come. One of my favorite athletes out there!” Another track and field enthusiast gushed on with, “Look out 2025. Kenny is coming.” With them, are you also waiting for a better Kenny in the next season? Let us know.