At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kenny Bednarek came agonizingly close to gold in the 200m, missing it by a mere 0.16 seconds. The world got its new silver medalist, but behind that calm exterior burns a fierce competitor. The 2025 season was a showcase of his relentless rise, shattering personal bests with a blistering 9.79 in the 100m and cementing his place among America’s fastest ever. From his thrilling duel with Noah Lyles at the USTAF Championships to his stunning dual-medal haul at the World Championships, Bednarek has proven he’s not just one of the finest sprinters in the U.S., but in the world. On his birthday today, we dive into the lesser-known facts about the fiery ‘Kung-fu’ Kenny.

Kenny Bednarek’s family is his biggest strength

Kenny Bednarek’s rise has been nothing short of electrifying. Since going pro in 2019, the “Kung Fu” sprinter has climbed from a humble 46th world ranking in the 200 meters to claiming back-to-back Olympic silver medals, first in Tokyo 2020 and then in Paris 2024. Apart from that, he has been one of the most standout male athletes in the world as well as back in America. As of today, he ranks 3rd in the men’s 100m and 5th in the men’s 200m. His career has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, and through it all, his family has remained incredibly supportive.

When asked during a homecoming gathering who’s played the biggest role in shaping the man he is today, Bednarek didn’t hesitate in naming his mother first: “Without my mom, without her adopting me and my brother and sisters, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve our goals. There’s a lot of kids in adoption who have dreams and aspirations, and Mom was one of those people that gave us the opportunity to pursue our dreams … She’s the one who pushed me to be a better person and a better athlete.”

Bednarek and his twin brother, Ian, spent their early years in foster care before being adopted at age four by Mary Ann Bednarek, a single mom. In fact, Bednarek credits his mother for introducing him to track and field. Alongside two other adoptive siblings, the Bednarek household became a family of four spirited kids bound by love rather than blood. Interestingly, Ian is also an athlete, however, he is not as well-known as his twin brother.

Bednarek and his countless headbands

Apart from his blistering speed, there’s one more thing that makes Kenny Bednarek stand out on the track: his iconic headbands, some anime themed. ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ has turned them into a signature statement, switching up styles every race and rarely repeating the same one, at least not for the cameras. At the 2023 World Athletics Championships, the Olympic silver medalist rocked a headband that read, “If you’re reading this, you’re late,” a bold nod to his lightning pace.

At the inaugural Grand Slam Track event, Kenny Bednarek rocked a vibrant green Jamaican-themed headband, a nod to the island’s legendary sprinting heritage and its infectious vibe that he deeply admires. Known for his signature style, “Kung Fu Kenny” even gifts his headbands to fans after races.

Following his Grand Slam performance, he shared with the media, “The fans were amazing, a lot of track and field fans and a lot of Kung Fu Kenny fans, and when the fans are up there and when they say my name, it puts a smile on my face. I wish I had brought a few more headbands so I can give out to the kids because they are screaming for it.”

That’s not all, Kenny doesn’t just wear his signature headbands; he sells them too. Through his official website, the sprinter offers a range of exclusive merchandise, including his iconic headbands in unique designs. Just a few weeks ago, he even dropped a Naruto-inspired collection, giving fans a glimpse into his anime fandom.

Bednarek was lightning fast in college

In 2019, Indian Hills freshman Kenny Bednarek, just 20 years old, turned heads at the NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Just a day after setting the fastest wind-aided 200m in history, he ran a wind-legal 200m in 19.82 seconds into a -0.8 m/s headwind, marking the third-fastest collegiate time ever and the fastest by an American that year.

During the same weekend, he clocked a spectacular 44.73 personal best in the 400m, showcasing that he was ready to take on the biggest talents of the world. Well, for context, only Noah Lyles had run faster among U.S. athletes in 2019. In a single weekend, the 20-year-old transformed from a curious prospect to a legitimate contender for the World Championship final, making his way to achieve greatness at the Olympics two years later. Well, interestingly, he had a football career as well.

‘Kung-Fu’ Kenny played football as well

Kenny Bednarek also excelled in football in his home of Rice Lake, tallying 17 touchdowns as a wide receiver, kick returner, and on jet sweeps during his junior and senior seasons, with highlights featured on Hudl dot com. He made a mark as a standout gunner on special teams as well.

In a conversation with the Journey To Gold podcast, the sprinter revealed that his first love was always football: “I got out of cross country and then I solely just focused on track and football and you know football was my first love.”

Interestingly, we might see him playing football after he turns 30. Well, at least that’s what he jokes about with his girlfriend. “I feel like with my work ethic, I definitely did. Because, I mean, honestly, that was something that I wanted to pursue. I mean, I love track, but when I was younger, I was also like, Oh, I dream about being in the NFL one day… Sometimes I joke with my girlfriend; maybe when I’m 30, I will go to the NFL,” he said in ‘The Running Effect podcast.’

Kenny Bednarek is absolutely fond of cars

Beyond his love for headbands, anime, and athletics, the two-time Olympic gold medalist is also a car enthusiast. His passion for automobiles became clear when he joined the NTT IndyCar Series. While on the track, he mingled with professional racers and even got the thrill of riding in the Florida race himself.

Taking to his Instagram handle, the athlete wrote, “Had a great opportunity to be part of the NTT Indycar Series. It was an unforgettable experience! Riding in an Indy car for the first time gave me a whole new perspective on speed.” 

And with that, all that’s left to be said is, Happy Birthday, Kenny!