Kenneth Bednarek

Sports Career of Kenneth Bednarek | Kenneth Bednarek Biography

“Kung Fu” Kenny Bednarek has established himself as one of the world’s top sprinters, having won Olympic and World silver medals in the 200-meter twice each.

Bednarek showed promise as an elite sprinter in high school and college, running 47.06 seconds at the USATF U19 National Junior Olympic Championships in 2017.

In 2019, Bednarek competed internationally for the first time, running at the Morocco Diamond League in the 200m and finishing in fourth with a time of 20.51 seconds. He competed in his first World Championships but wouldn’t advance beyond the heats, finishing with a time of 21.50 seconds.

Unfortunately, he would have to delay his breakout by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting his season until July in 2020. Still, he set personal bests in the 100-meter and 200-meter near the end of the summer, running 10.09 seconds in the 100-meter (also 10.02 seconds with a 2.5m/s wind) and 19.80 seconds.

Bednarek came into the 2021 season in good form, running a legal 10.03 seconds in the 100-meter in April and then under 20 seconds twice in the 200-meter in May. He then went on to win his first two Diamond League meetings of the year in London and Doha in the 200-meter before heading to Eugene for the Olympic Trials. There, he ran a new personal best in the 100-meter of 9.89 seconds, finishing fourth. He also finished second behind Noah Lyles in the 200-meter with a time of 19.78 seconds, qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.

At the Olympics, Bednarek ran a new personal best of 19.68 seconds, finishing second behind Canada’s Andre de Grasse.

Bednarek had another strong season in 2022, running 9.95 seconds in the 100-meter at the USA Olympic Trials. He ran the 200-meter at the World Championships, posting a time of 19.77 seconds in the final to take home second.

The 2023 season was a bit of a down year for Bednarek, considering his elite standards. He once again finished second at the USA Championships, but finished fifth in the 200-meter at the World Championships.

He ended his season on a high note, running 19.79 seconds at the Brussels Diamond League to take home the win and then 19.95 at the Prefontaine Classic to take second.

Kenny Bednarek 2024 Olympics

Bednarek posted some impressive times in the early 2024 season, running 9.91 seconds in the 100-meter in April and 19.67 seconds at the Doha Diamond League meeting, to take home victory. At the USA Olympic Trials, he set a personal best in the 100-meter of 9.82 seconds and a personal best in the 200-meter of 19.59 seconds.

Going into the 2024 Olympics, most of the attention was on Noah Lyles and whether he would be able to complete the triple of the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter relay.

After winning the 100-meter, it looked like it could happen. However, in the 200-meter final, both Letsile Tebogo and Kenny Bednarek finished ahead of Lyles, with Bednarek finishing second. Lyles was seen gasping for breath at the end of the race and later announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 shortly before the race. 

Kenny Bednarek 2025

Bednarek achieved a personal best in the 100-meter on May 3, 2025, running 9.79 seconds, one of the fastest times ever achieved in the event, although with a wind above the allowable limit. He ran this time again at the USA Championships with a legal wind and also ran one of his best times in the 200-meter with a 19.67 seconds.

At the World Championships in Tokyo, he finished fourth in the 100-meter with a time of 9.92 seconds in the final. He also finished second in the 200-meter behind Noah Lyles with a time of 19.58 seconds.

Kenneth Bednarek Personal Life and Other Facts | Bednarek Kenny

Kenny Bednarek has a twin brother, Ian. They were born in Oklahoma and bounced between foster homes until their mother, Mary, adopted both of them at age four. She adopted four children in total.

They eventually moved from Tulsa to Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

After high school, he attended Indian Hills Community College in Iowa.

Bednarek has a Husky named Rambo and is reportedly dating the Indian professional golfer Sharmila Nicollet.

FAQs | Kenneth Bednarek

What is Kenneth Bednarek’s 200m Time?

Bednarek has run a personal best of 19.57 seconds in the 200-meter. This time ties him with Justin Gatlin for eighth all-time in the event.

What is Kenneth Bednarek’s Weight and Height? |  Kenneth Bednarek Height

Kenny Bednarek is roughly 6’2” and 185lbs. In the metric system, this is roughly 188 centimeters and 84 kilograms

What Other Sports Did Kenny Bednarek Play?

Kenny Bednarek also played American football through high school.

How Many Medals Does Kenny Bednarek Have?

Kenny Bednarek has two Olympic silver medals in the 200-meter event from the 2021 and 2024 Olympics. He also has silver medals in the event from the 2022 and 2025 World Championships.

What is Kenny Bednarek’s Age? | How Old is Kenny Bednarek

Kenny Bednarek was born on October 14, 1998, making him 27 years old.