Kenny Bednarek Falls Behind as Justin Gatlin Picks 2x Olympic Star for US Nationals Top Spot

The 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships, set to ignite Hayward Field, promises a 100m showdown for the ages. With Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion, doubling, the sprint field remains stacked. Christian Coleman, with his 9.76 personal best, and Brandon Hicklin, a rising star, are ready to blaze. This year alone, 22 American men have dipped under 10 seconds, making the nationals a brutal gauntlet for World Championship spots in Tokyo. And fans are glued to the drama, knowing only the sharpest will survive. But who’s got the edge in this sprinting crucible?

Enter Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champ, whose YouTube channel is a goldmine for track heads. Justin Gatlin added fuel to the fire with his analysis, shaking up expectations for the crown. But before naming his pick, Gatlin paused to highlight a familiar name: Kenny Bednarek.

Bednarek, the Paris and Tokyo silver medalist in the 200m, had recently made strides in the 100m, clocking competitive times earlier in the season and showing promise as a dual threat. Yet, Gatlin didn’t shy away from voicing his concerns. “My only preference right now is the fact of Kenny just had an injury,” Gatlin said. “So I’m not sure exactly how ready Kenny is in this moment and how sharp he is.” He acknowledged Kenny’s capabilities, saying, “We know that Kenny can make a team… I do not see Kenny not in the top three if he’s healthy for sure.” Still, the uncertainty around his current form cast a long shadow. So, who did Gatlin trust most to rise when it mattered?

In a candid transition, Gatlin shifted gears and backed none other than Trayvon Bromell. His endorsement wasn’t casual; it came backed with meticulous observation. “I’m going to go with Trayvon being the frontrunner because watching Trayvon develop through this season… he literally built it,” Gatlin remarked, referencing Bromell’s transformation from an injury-ridden indoor season to a blazing 9.86s outdoor best, his fastest overseas time ever.

Gatlin emphasized that Bromell’s renewed physical strength, paired with a mental edge honed by years of highs and lows, set him apart. “He’s really elite. He’s really fast,” Gatlin added. “He’s going to be more calm, I think, at Nationals… work on his race strategy, and execute.” In a field where milliseconds matter and doubts can derail a dream, Gatlin’s pick signals more than prediction; it’s a passing of the torch.

But with Kenny Bednarek lurking in the wings and veterans like Coleman still in the hunt, will Trayvon Bromell live up to the faith? Or will the narrative shift again when the starting gun fires in Eugene? Meanwhile Bromell is on roll in 2025.

Trayvon Bromell’s 2025 season comeback ignites track hopes

Well, track fans are well aware of Trayvon Bromell’s 2025 season, and it’s been a wild ride. The two-time Olympian started indoors at the Texas Tech Corky Classic in January, clocking a 6.62s 60m win, his first race since a May 2024 adductor injury sidelined him from the U.S. Olympic Trials. “I haven’t taken indoors seriously since 2016,” Bromell posted on Instagram, hinting at a World Indoor title chase. But at the Millrose Games, he took silver with a 6.59s, showing he’s still finding his groove. An injury forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Indoor Championships in February. How would he rebound from that setback?

Spring flipped the script. Bromell kicked off his 100m season in Clermont, Florida, with a 9.91s, the world’s second-fastest time at that point. Then, in June, he torched the Rome Diamond League with a world-leading 9.84s, his fastest since 2022, leaving Emmanuel Eseme (9.99s) and Ferdinand Omanyala (10.01s) in the dust. “I was definitely nervous… I just needed to be the person I am,” Bromell told Pulse Sports, crediting coach Michael Ford for his resurgence. Could he maintain that fire?

July’s Prefontaine Classic tested him against Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson. Bromell ran a 9.94s, taking third behind Thompson’s 9.85s and Zharnel Hughes’ 9.91s. Justin Gatlin noted Bromell struggled at the 60-70m mark, unable to match Thompson’s smooth acceleration. Now, with the USATF Nationals looming, Bromell’s 9.76s personal best from 2021 makes him a top contender. Will he seize the national title and a Tokyo World Championship spot?