“The fans will get to see the best of the best race against each other regularly, and we have a platform to showcase our talents and continue building our fanbase all around the world.” This was Fred Kerley’s statement when he was asked about Grand Slam Track. Unfortunately, Grand Slam Track wasn’t so grand for the Olympian. The fans did not get the best of him against anybody. Fred Kerley did not showcase his talent. He didn’t even do justice to it with his 7th-place finish. Needless to say, despite having a loyal fan base, he faced a lot of trolls and critics. However, amongst the surrounding negativity, his girlfriend has chosen to support him. But how?

Cleo Rahman, aka DJ Sky High Baby, took to her X to show support for her boyfriend after his latest win. Ever since the Grand Slam Track, Kerley has been subjected to criticism and a lot of online trolls for his speed. Replying to all of them at once, Rahman wrote, “9.87 (clapping emoji) Say No More.”

His girlfriend, Rahman, is a popular DJ who has also been a part of various TV shows, like multiple seasons of the Baddies – a reality show that documents the interactions between several young women living together. Rahman has been with Fred through some of his very tough times, like the arrest in Miami, and her support has been vital to the athlete. But what was the 9.87 reference?

The Azusa Pacific University is hosting the APU Franson Last Chance Invite from May 8th to 10th. Fred Kerley also made an appearance in the 100 meters of the invite and recorded a time of 9.87 (+2.9) to lead qualifiers out of the semi-final.

Donning an all black outfit, the Olympian took his mark in lane number 4. The moment the cue to run crackled through the silence of the area, he bolted. Benjamin Azamati matched his footsteps in lane 3, but the closer the finish line came, the faster Kerley got, ultimately taking the win. Azamati ran 9.93s to finish 2nd. This was Kerley’s first sub-10 run in the hundred meters this season, making it his season best. Before this, his best in 2025 for 100m came in his season debut at the Trojan Invite.

For Fred, the 2025 season started well with the number 1 finish in the Trojan invite, but the Kingston Grand Slam Track did leave a stain on this season, especially when he hadn’t had the opportunity to redeem himself in there. So, how bad was it?

Fred Kerley had a bad Grand Slam Track

Kerley arrived in Kingston with sky‑high expectations, only to deliver one of the most humbling chapters of his storied career. However, nothing was grand about the Olympian’s Grand Slam Track debut. The man took his mark in the race, but did he leave one? No. When he entered the 100m, everybody thought the man was going for a podium finish. Fourth or fifth would have been the worst-case scenario. Bt for Fred Kerley to finish 7th? Highly unlikely, yet it happened.

In the 100m final at the 2025 Kingston Grand Slam Track meet on April 4, Kerley finished seventh with a time of 10.30 seconds. Not only was this very low position for someone of his stature, but this was also a very notable dip from his usual sub-10 performances. The race was won by Kenny Bednarek with a time of 10.07 seconds, followed closely by Oblique Seville at 10.08 seconds and Zharnel Hughes at 10.13 seconds. On day 2, he tried to redeem himself.

Kerley delivered a more competitive performance in the 200m on April 5. Clocking 20.39 seconds, he secured third place, narrowly trailing Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, who finished in 20.37 seconds, and the event winner, Kenny Bednarek, who posted a time of 20.07 seconds. Kerley’s third-place finish in the 200m earned him 6 points, contributing to 8 points in the Short Sprints category. This placed him fourth overall in the group standings, behind Bednarek (24 points), Hughes (14 points), and Oblique Seville (12 points). 

What do you think of Fred Kerley’s recent performance? Let us know in the comments below.