Kenny Bednarek Makes Bold Grand Slam Challenge to Letsile Tebogo, Noah Lyles and Erryon Knighton After Another Win

Kenny Bednarek on why he wants Letsile Tebogo, Noah Lyles and Erryon Knighton to sign up for Grand Slam Track.

Kenny Bednarek has sent a bold challenge to his biggest 200 meter competitors after delivering yet another stunning victory in the event at the Philadelphia Grand Slam Track event on Saturday.

Bednarek sprinted to a 19.95 200m time in the men’s short sprints to lead Team GB’s Zharnel Hughes Saturday 

Hughes, one of Grand Slam Track’s designated Racers, clocked in at 20.50 for second. Canada’s Aaron Brown was third, with Olympic gold medallist Andre De Grasse in fourth.

Speaking after yet another dominant display on the track, Bednarek explained that his performances at this stage of the season aren’t just about wins, but about sending a clear message.

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Bednarek: I am On Good Course Ahead of Tokyo

“It just tells me where I'm at during the season,” he said. “I'm one of those athletes that can start out fast and end fast, so I'm not really worried about how I'm going to be at during trials and world champs.”

For Bednarek, these early meets are about building momentum—and warning the competition that he’ll be even sharper when the stakes are highest.

“This is just telling them that I'm going to be way faster by the time we get to Worlds.”

Whether he lines up for the 100 meters or the 200, Bednarek says his approach is the same: execute, deliver, and dominate.

“Whether it's the 100 or the two first, I'm just going to still execute the way I know how. I'm in good shape to do it.”

And if experience counts for anything, the Olympic silver medalist feels he’s never been more prepared.

“I've done this since college, so what's the difference? I'm in better shape than I was in college—so I'm capable of doing stuff like this.”

Bednarek: Dennis Mitchell ‘Killing’ Me in Training

According to Bednarek, a key part of his early-season form has been the adjustments made by his coach, especially during the fall training phase.

“Coach has done a little bit different things. We've done a lot of speed work, a lot of lifting. The type of fall training workouts we did was different.”

Having come from a 400-meter background, Bednarek was no stranger to endurance training—but even he admitted this year’s sessions took things to another level.

“Usually fall training doing 500, 600s—I don't really die from it. But this year, he just did something different, so it was just killing me.”

That grind, he believes, is what’s made him feel stronger and faster than ever.

“I think that's part of the reason why I'm running so good and so fast and so strong. I've never been the type of athlete where coach would have me lying on the floor dying.”

Bednarek Calls out Lyles, Tebogo and Knighton

With the Grand Slam series heating up, Bednarek made it clear that he’s more than ready for a showdown—and he’s extending the invitation to his fiercest rivals.

“Noah Lyles can show up. Erryon Knighton can show up. Letsile Tebogo can show up.”

He emphasized that the door is open—whether they walk through it is up to them.

“Like I said, I've mentioned that they can come here. The invitation has been sent. It's whether they want to do it or not.”

Bednarek acknowledged that everyone’s season is planned differently, but he didn’t hide his desire to race the best.

“Obviously it's a long season, so their coach or them have different plans. But it would be nice to see one of them there.”

With confidence surging and times dropping, Kenny Bednarek isn’t just running fast—he’s raising the stakes. And with Worlds approaching, he’s daring the best to meet him head-on.