Kenny Bednarek Reveals Key Focus to Defeat Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo in 200m After Miami Grand Slam Victory

Kenny Bednarek has been on form so far this season. Image || Grand Slam Track.

Kenny Bednarek Reveals Key Focus to Defeat Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo in 200m After Miami Grand Slam Victory

Mark Kinyanjui 06:30 - 07.05.2025

Kenny Bednarek has explained how Grand Slam Track is helping him work on margins that will make him overcome 200 meter rivals Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo in 2025.

American sprinter Kenny Bednarek has opened up on the technical areas he’s sharpening in training as he eyes dominance in 2025, following his second Grand Slam Track title in Miami.

Bednarek has begun the season in electric form, first storming to victory in the short sprints title in Kingston, Jamaica—where he toppled a talented field including Oblique Seville—before repeating his feat with another sensational performance in Miami.

In Florida, Bednarek clocked a wind-assisted 9.79 seconds in the 100 meters, then backed it up by cruising to a 19.84-second finish in the 200 meters.

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Grand Slam format helping him silence 100m doubters

Kenny Bednarek Reveals Aspect he is Sharpening to Floor Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo in the 200m Following Grand Slam Victory in Miami
Kenny Bednarek celebrates after winning the men's Short Sprints at Grand Slam Track. (Credit: Grand Slam Track) Kenny Bednarek celebrates after winning the men's Short Sprints at Grand Slam Track. (Credit: Grand Slam Track)

Grand Slam format helping him silence 100m doubters Speaking after his dominant 200m performance, Bednarek—who has already pocketed $200,000 in prize money from the Grand Slam series—shared how the new league has opened doors for him to compete in more 100m races, an opportunity he says was previously denied due to his reputation as a 200m specialist.

"Yeah, 'cause I mean, a lot of people—early on—I was more of a 200 guy. I could throw down a 100 here and there, but I guess people didn’t see enough of it,” Bednarek said.

“So usually, I’d only get accepted for a 200. This gives me the opportunity to run a few more 100s and prove that I’m one of the top 100-meter sprinters."

Speedwork in the 100m sharpening his 200m dominance

Kenny Bednarek Reveals Aspect he is Sharpening to Floor Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo in the 200m Following Grand Slam Victory in Miami
Bednarek lost to Letsile Tebogo in the 200m at the Olympics last year.

Bednarek says the speed he is  generating from his 100m races is setting him up perfectly for battles to come in his specialist 200m event—especially against top names like world champion Noah Lyles and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.

"Running these fast times this early, doing it against this field, and running comfortably—it just shows that I’m in really good shape," he said.

“All the work I put in this fall has really been helping me. It’s showing itself on the track. The biggest thing for me is: if I can get out on the turn, get in the lead in the 100, then I just have to stay relaxed and make sure nobody’s catching me."

Bednarek: I’m in great shape and ready to dominate

Kenny Bednarek Reveals Aspect he is Sharpening to Floor Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo in the 200m Following Grand Slam Victory in Miami
Kenny Bednarek

He emphasized how smooth his races felt, explaining that everything is clicking at the right time.

"I felt pretty good through the first race and the second race. Everything felt smooth, felt easy. I’m in really good shape right now,” he said.

“This race was just about executing and dominating the field—and that’s what I did. So, going to Philly and LA, I’m feeling pretty confident in what I can throw down there."

No jet lag, fast track—why Miami was perfect Bednarek also heaped praise on the Miramar Track and Field Stadium in Florida, attributing part of his stellar performance to the comfort and familiarity the venue provided.

"I mean, it was very special. What—40, 50-minute flight, three-hour drive? It’s close to home, and I’ve been on this track before. No jet lag to deal with, and the track is fast. That’s all I could ask for."

As the Grand Slam Track series heads to Philadelphia and Los Angeles, Bednarek’s performances suggest he’s not only closing the gap on rivals like Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo, but also positioning himself as a serious contender to dominate both sprint events heading into the 2025 season.

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