They said he was done. Forgotten. Too injured. Too old. But last Friday in Rome, Trayvon Bromell sent shockwaves through the sprinting world. After nearly three years without a Wanda Diamond League win, the St. Petersburg native flew out of the blocks with a blazing 0.112 reaction time, clocking 9.84 seconds, his fastest ever overseas and the world-leading time for 2025. That win in Rome wasn’t just a victory; it was a full-circle moment for a man many had written off. The last time Bromell stood atop the world in the 100m was 2021. Since then, time passed, injuries piled up, and the sport moved on. But Bromell dropped a performance so sharp, that even Justin Gatlin, a man who’s seen it all couldn’t help but salute.

The race itself was a statement. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme managed 9.99, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala clocked 10.01, and Fred Kerley, the 2022 world champion, came fifth in 10.06. But no one was even close. This wasn’t a lucky win. This was the Trayvon Bromell of old, strong, sharp, and relentless. But behind that 9.84 was a story of struggle: three groin injuries, an Achilles bone spur, missed opportunities, and constant doubts. He hadn’t won a medalat a global championship since his 2016 World Indoor title in Portland. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he didn’t even make the final. And yet, he refused to fold.

On the Ready Set Go podcast, Rodney Green set the tone: “We had Trayvon Bromell chop his opener at 9.91, and we watch him go out here with a solidified field and run a world lead of 9.84. What does this mean going forward? That Trayvon is back at 9.84? What does this mean for the rest of the world?” Green was asking the question everyone in the sport was thinking and Justin Gatlin had the answer. The former world champion didn’t hesitate. “Trayvon hit a shot. He showed the world, ’cause I think the world was counting him out. He was grinding through the indoors, not hitting sharp times. He didn’t look like an elite athlete. But now outdoors? He’s starting to peak.”

Justin Gatlin went deeper, revealing that he and Bromell had discussed what needed to change, not just mentally, but physically: “We talked about it on the show, man. Get your shoulders bigger, get your chest bigger. When we seen Trayvon run his 9.7s and 9.8s like they were going out of style, he had a different body. He was stronger, able to get through the transition way smoother. That’s what we’re seeing now.” Comparing Bromell’s earlier season race in Clermont to his Rome performance, Gatlin didn’t mince words: “It’s night and day, bro. In Clermont, he cruised. But in Rome? He decimated the field. Put ’em away at the 35-meter mark and just kept stepping. That was the fastest time he’s ever run overseas.”

But perhaps the most telling part of Bromell’s comeback wasn’t the time on the clock, it was the fight to even get into races. Justin Gatlin highlighted the harsh reality of elite sprinting: “At one point, it was hard for him to even get in races this season. The sport’s like, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ You make a name, and next year they’re like, ‘We ain’t got space for you.’ But now? He’s created all the space he needs.” Trayvon Bromell didn’t just run a fast time, he reignited his career. And with legends like Gatlin backing him, the message is clear: he’s not done. He’s just getting started again. But what next?

Trayvon Bromell just sent warning to the world

The result in Rome wasn’t just a win, it was a warning shot. Trayvon Bromell’s 9.84 seconds was just eight-hundredths off his personal best of 9.76 from 2021. After nearly three years away from the spotlight, he didn’t just return, he came back leading the world. That time instantly pushed him back into serious World Championship contention. “I will study the film,” Bromell said post-race. “We will sit down and talk and take it from there.” But truthfully? That race spoke volumes. With that kind of form, he’s no longer a question mark, he’s a contender.

And if the U.S. sprint squad wasn’t already stacked, now it’s positively overflowing. Between Olympic gold and bronze medalists Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley, plus Kenneth Bednarek rounding into the best shape of his career with Grand Slam Track, America’s 100m firepower is off the charts. But that also means there’s no room for slip-ups especially with the rest of the world heating up too. Bromell’s comeback adds fuel to the already blazing sprint scene, where one race can change everything, and memories fade fast. He’s chasing not just a spot, but a legacy.

Looking ahead to Worlds? The competition is real. Noah Lyles sits atop the global rankings, a consistent sub-9.80 threat and the reigning Olympic champ. Kishane Thompson isn’t far behind, Jamaica’s rising star with a silver medal and eyes on gold. Fred Kerley, a proven big-stage beast, still lurks. Add in Akani Simbine, clocking sub-10s for 11 seasons straight, and Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest ever. And don’t sleep on Oblique Seville, who’s got Bolt’s backing and a 9.82 to prove it. With wildcards like Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, Jeremiah Azu, and Letsile Tebogo stirring the pot, the men’s 100m field is as deep as it’s ever been. Bromell’s back, but staying on top? That’s the real challenge. Let’s see what the future holds.