The trail of Sprinter Kenny Bednarek is much from easy or conventional. You can too climb many uphills.
However his expertise, whereas continually obscured, is solely empowering an alter ego known as “Kung Fu Kenny.” That model of him seems as he step into the observe and slides his signature headband.
His model sees two Olympic silver medals in two methods. It is a reminder of his success, but it surely’s nonetheless a motivation for achievement.
This season he sharpens the burst from the beginning block, bringing diet to a different degree and altering the silver end to gold. That is more likely to start with the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo in September, and will probably be on the trail of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I do know I’ve the power to turn into a champion,” mentioned Bednarek, who raced in Kingston, Jamaica within the first occasion of the brand new skilled league, Grand Slam Monitor this weekend. “I used to be all the time hungry.”
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he and his brother’s twin brother Ian had been adopted from foster care on the age of 4 by Mary Ann Bednarek, who had already photographed the 2 ladies. The household moved to Lake Rice in northwest Wisconsin after they had been 12 years previous.
“I had a variety of issues as a baby,” defined 26-year-old Kenny Bednarek. “My mom took so lengthy to assist me turn into the individual I’m as we speak, that means I don’t know the place I’m with out her love, care and help.
“I won’t be ‘Kung Fu Kenny’. I is likely to be caught someplace.
Monitoring too. On the observe, Bednarek can wander by his thoughts, the place his toes might at some point take him.
“The observe was a gateway that permit me go free,” defined Bednarek, who additionally performed soccer. “It was simply me concerning the watch.”
From the Indian Hills to the Olympics
Bednarek did not go to a significant trucking powerhouse exterior of highschool. As a substitute, he spent the season at Indian Hills Neighborhood Faculty in Iowa.
However that one season confirmed nice potential for Bednarek. He gained 200 and 400 nationwide titles on the 2019 NJCAA DI Outside Monitor & Discipline Championships.
Nonetheless, he’s largely ignored by a crowded area of outstanding sprinters, together with American standouts Noah Lyles, Fred Carly and Elyon Knighton, and Andre de Grass of Canada and Lettebogo of Botswana.
Enjoying the second fiddle was bothering Bednarek, particularly his alter ego, “Kung Fu Kenny.”
“I had a giant tip on my shoulder,” he mentioned. “It was a nuisance.”
Successful the medals solved that. It might not all the time be a favourite of the race, however Bednarek has all the time discovered a solution to get into the combo.
Just like the 2021 Tokyo event, when he completed runner-up to Degrass within the 200, or on the World Championships the place he took silver behind Lyles a yr later. Within the Paris Video games final summer time, he gained one other silver within the 200 behind Tebogo.
Final summer time’s medal stays particular as his mother watched it within the stands. She was very completely happy for him, wept tears of pleasure as they accepted after the race.
“To be vivid and vivid, in order that my mom can witness that it means loads,” he mentioned.
1% is superior
Just lately he has labored at Winter Backyard, Florida beneath the supervision of Dennis Mitchell. His coaching teams embody Sha’carri Richardson and Christian Coleman.
“We simply have this iron Charpen iron mentality,” mentioned Bednarek, sponsored by Nike. “We’re all making one another higher.”
His high process this spring is for him to begin with the block.
“If I can beat it, I really feel like nobody can beat me,” mentioned Bednarek, with a high time of 200, which is nineteen.57 seconds. “I am all the time attempting so as to add one thing that makes me 1% higher.”
He’s a dedication to diet – he excludes gluten and about his general well being, he honors Sharmila Nicollet, knowledgeable Indian golfer who he has been courting since 2020.
“Beforehand, I used to be like, “Yeah, I can sleep every time I would like and play video video games every time I would like. “She opened my eyes. “Okay, that is the way you turn into an Olympic athlete and a medalist. That is what you must do.”
Grand Slam Truck Debut
Bednarek is considered one of all distance and hurdler runners collaborating within the Grand Slam Monitor, based this weekend by Corridor of Fame Michael Johnson.
The brand new leagues will cease in Kingston, Miami (Could 2-4), Philadelphia (Could 30-June 1) and Los Angeles (June 27-29). In Kingston, Bednarek was at Kerley & Co on Friday at 100. They’ll face one another once more at 200 on Saturday.
“It is an unbelievable alternative to symbolize this league,” Bednarek mentioned. “It is all about velocity, persona and telling an ideal story.”
Like him.
One of many questions he receives continually is what’s the story behind his alter ego, “Kung Fu Kenny”? ” Bednarek mentioned it actually stems from his love for anime. His favourite character is Naruto, a younger ninja who seeks recognition.
“He is a really everlasting character and hasn’t given up on something,” defined Bednarek. “I resonate with it. Something you wish to obtain, it does not come to you – you must work for it. It’s a must to get it.”
