American sprinting is heating up with a rivalry that’s hard to ignore. Fred Kerley, with an Olympic medal and a world title to his name, has long been one of the sport’s biggest names. That gold from the 2022 World Championships still speaks volumes about his ability. But lately, Kenny Bednarek has been making a serious case for himself. His consistent form throughout 2025 has fans wondering: Is it time for a new top dog? While Kerley’s resume is hard to match, Bednarek’s recent run suggests a changing of the guard could be coming. If he takes the 100m title at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, it might be the moment that truly puts him in the conversation with the best. Let’s analyze.

The saga began in earnest at the Grand Slam Track series, where Bednarek has been nothing short of a revelation. In Kingston, he blazed to victory in both the 100m and 200m, leaving Jamaica’s Oblique Seville and Britain’s Zharnel Hughes trailing. His 100m time of 10.07 seconds edged out Seville by a mere 0.01 seconds, while in the 200m, he clocked 20.07 seconds, outpacing Kerley, who settled for third. Miami and Philadelphia told a similar tale. Bednarek’s personal best of 9.86 seconds in the 100m at Philadelphia tied the world-leading mark, and his 200m win in 19.95 seconds was a staggering half-second ahead of the field.

On Coach Rob Track and Field podcast, the comparison between Bednarek and Kerley took center stage. Coach Rob posed a pivotal question. He said, “What if Kenny does 100? Then what?” Anderson Emerole’s response was unequivocal: “If he wins a hundred at the world champs later this year, I think that that provides almost like validation to his entire season.” Emerole highlighted Bednarek’s dominance in the Grand Slam Track, noting that his competitors, save for Kerley, have struggled to match his pace.

“None of y’all was ready for that smoke,” Coach Rob declared, emphasizing Bednarek’s edge over the field, including Seville’s 9.91-second “pull-up” in Kingston. Yet, Kerley’s lone encounter with Bednarek in the 200m at Kingston, where he held his own, underscores why he remains a cut above.

Fred Kerley’s credentials are undeniable. His 2022 World Championship 100m gold and Olympic medals in 2020 and 2024 place him in the coveted “A tier,” as Coach Rob described. “That’s why Fred is on the A tier for the record. Cause he has that gold,” Coach Rob stated. Bednarek, despite his silver medals in the 200m at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics and the 2022 World Championships, hovers between “B+ and A–” status. His consistency is unmatched. 25 career sub-20-second 200m runs, third-most in history. But the absence of a global title keeps him from Kerley’s echelon. Emerole noted, “Once you win one, we know you can win it again,” suggesting that a 100m victory in Tokyo could be Bednarek’s ticket to the top tier.

As the 2025 World Championships loom, the narrative is clear. Kerley’s gold keeps him elevated, a proven champion with the hardware to match. Bednarek, however, is closing the gap with every stride, his Grand Slam Track sweep a bold statement of intent. Coach Rob summed it up, saying, “Fred is the only person here you could argue was worthy of him, just based off of last year’s performance at the Games.” Whether Bednarek can seize the 100m crown in Tokyo and join Kerley in the elite tier remains the question that will define this riveting chapter in American sprinting.

Fred Kerley sprints to second Olympic 100m medal in thrilling photo finish

In one of the tightest 100m finishes Olympic fans have witnessed in over four decades, Fred Kerley stormed to a bronze medal in Paris, his second Olympic medal in the event. The Texas A&M legend, already a silver medalist from Tokyo, reaffirmed his place among the world’s sprinting elite by clocking a season’s best 9.81 at Stade de France. Just 0.005 seconds separated him from gold, in a final that was decided by the lean.

Kerley’s route to the podium was a testament to both strategy and timing. He set the tone by tying for the fastest qualifying time in the opening round with a smooth 9.97. When the semifinals arrived, he maintained his edge, securing an automatic spot in the final with a second-place finish in Heat 3 at 9.84. Then came the showdown. Blasting out of the blocks in the final, Kerley surged ahead early, locked in a fierce battle with Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson and U.S. teammate Noah Lyles. All three hit the line in a blur. Lyles at 9.784, Thompson at 9.789, and Kerley at 9.81.

Despite narrowly missing gold, Kerley emerged from the race with an honor no other finalist could claim. A second Olympic 100m medal. His performance, ranking him seventh-fastest in Olympic 100m finals history, only cemented his legacy. “It was a dog fight,” Kerley said post-race. “All three of us went out there and gave it our all. We put on a show for the world.” In Paris, Kerley didn’t just race; he proved staying power in a sport built on milliseconds.