When May kicked off, Fred Kerley was eyeing redemption. After a disappointing seventh-place finish in Kingston, the 2022 world 100m champion looked to Miami’s Grand Slam Track Meet as his comeback stage. But instead of sprinting back into form, his life took an unexpected turn. On May 1, Kerley was found in deep waters in Dania Beach, Florida, for an altercation with his ex-girlfriend, Alaysha Johnson. The fallout was immediate. Kerley was pulled from the Miami meet, where he was slated to run the 100m and 200m. He’s since apologized, vowing to “clear his name.” As the case remains under investigation. On the other hand, Fred Kerley is eyeing what Noah Lyles and Co. already have! What is this?

Well, things have moved fast on the track—but even faster off it. As the hype builds for the Adidas Atlanta City Games on May 17, all eyes are on Noah Lyles. He’s not just chasing gold; he’s chasing history. The man has made it clear—he wants to break Usain Bolt’s 150m world record! You know, that lightning run Bolt clocked back in 2009 on the streets of Manchester—14.35 seconds of sheer magic. Lyles came ridiculously close last year, missing it by just 0.06 seconds.

And now? He’s back. Focused. Fired up. But the road to that record isn’t empty—far from it. Zharnel Hughes, Alexander Ogando, and Ferdinand Omanyala are all set to line up beside him. This isn’t just a race; it’s a sprint showdown of the year.And guess who wants in? Fred Kerley. That’s right, he wasn’t listed in the initial lineup. But he made his feelings known, loud and clear: “I want to run that 150,” he posted on X on 15 May.

Kerley, despite not racing in the 150m in Atlanta last year, didn’t make the start list. And just like last year, he wasn’t part of the 100m lineup either. That’s two years in a row he’s been absent from the Adidas Atlanta City Games—an event that’s fast becoming one of the sprinting world’s key showcases. The reason for this exclusion remains under the covers. This could be due to the recent controversy and his absence from racing in the lead-up to the event. His legal situation and last-minute withdrawal from Miami may have influenced the organizers’ decision.

While stars like Oblique Seville, Erriyon Knighton, Kendal Williams, and Udodi Onwuzurike lit up the 100m, Kerley was notably missing. The Jamaican squad brought serious fire too, with Ryiem Forde, Cravont Charleston, and others in the mix.

So, that begs the question: where can we see Fred Kerley next?

What’s next for Fred Kerley?

For context, Fred Kerley was involved in an altercation with his ex-girlfriend, hurdler Alaysha Johnson, in Dania Beach, Florida, in the first week of May. According to reports, the dispute turned physical, also involving a police response. While Kerley was charged and arrested, the incident led to an immediate chain of repercussions—he was pulled from the Miami Grand Slam Track Meet. Kerley later issued a public apology and stated he’s working to clear his name. The case remains unresolved as of mid-May.

Fred’s season took a sharp turn after that incident. But the former world 100m champion is not letting it hinder his work. Just days before missing out on the Adidas Atlanta City Games, Kerley made a quiet but powerful return to the track at the Franson Last Chance meet in Azusa, California. And guess what? He didn’t just race—he blazed.

Across three 100m rounds, Kerley delivered some of his fastest times of the season: 9.95 (+2.3) in the prelims, 9.87 (+2.9) in the semis, and a wind-legal 9.98 (+1.8) to win the final. That final time, especially, turns heads—it’s a strong mark in legal conditions, proving he’s sharpening up just in time for a big summer.

Earlier this season, he clocked 44.73 in the 400m at the Mt. SAC Relays and anchored a 3:01.37 4x400m relay in Gainesville.

While it is yet to confirm his next meet, all signs point to a busy schedule ahead after his return to the track in California. With the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo coming up from September 13–21, expect Kerley to line up in several high-profile races in the coming months to build momentum.