Kenny Bednarek has been tearing up the track, dominating the first-ever Grand Slam Track (GST) season! He’s not just winning; he’s raking in serious cash, pocketing the maximum in prize money across the meets in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. After acquiring all 24 points in each GST meet, Bednarek secured a huge $300,000 in total, $100,000 from each meet, proving his speed is undeniable. But what’s the secret behind this meteoric rise? How does a sprinter transform raw talent into a quarter-million-dollar payday?

In a fascinating YouTube interview with Track World News on 4th June, Bednarek pulled back the curtain on the mental battle that fuels his success. He talked about the constant tug-of-war between sticking to his race plan and just going with his gut. Early in his career, he admitted to often ditching strategy in the heat of the moment. “My first two to three years, there would be times where I was just like, ‘You know what? As soon as the gun goes off, it’s just like, okay, we’re just going to do whatever.‘” His coach would often call him out, “You didn’t listen to the plan. I literally laid it up for you.” Bednarek’s response? “I’m sorry, I just got too jittery or too excited or something like that.” Those impulsive moments were costly, but they taught him a vital lesson. So, what finally clicked?

This season, Bednarek found his rhythm by embracing discipline. “This year—and at the end of last year—I feel like I honed in on just sticking with the plan,” he revealed. He’s developed a routine that keeps him grounded: “I go to practice, I go to a track meet, I don’t listen to anything. I just kind of live in the moment, vibe, talk to whoever, stretch and all that stuff.” By staying calm and present, he avoids overthinking. “Once I get to the blocks… I’m calm, cool, collected. And then as soon as the gun goes off, I just execute my race.”

This mental shift has transformed Bednarek into a strategic, disciplined machine. His GST dominance is proof positive that his new formula works. His ability to balance meticulous preparation with unwavering poise under pressure is a blueprint for any aspiring athlete. You could hear the confidence when he spoke about chasing records back in 2024. He said, “I’m gonna be gunning for that gold every single year – especially the records. I definitely think I have the talent and work ethic to get Bolt’s records in a few years. In the next few years, I want gold medals and records. That’s the standard I have for myself.” 

As he looks to future races, the big question is: can this refined mindset carry him to even greater heights?

After conquering GST, Bednarek is gearing up for an epic rivalry faceoff in Eugene

Fresh off a perfect 6-for-6 sweep, Kenny Bednarek is ready for his biggest challenge yet. The American sprint sensation is set to face off against Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in the men’s 200m at the Prefontaine Classic, the Wanda Diamond League Final, in Eugene on July 5, 2025. This isn’t just any race; it’s a showdown between the world’s top two 200m runners, ranked No. 1 (Tebogo) and No. 2 (Bednarek), reigniting their electrifying rivalry from last year’s Brussels final. Can Bednarek repeat his Diamond League heroics on home soil?

In 2024, Tebogo and Bednarek traded blows on the global stage, setting the track world alight. Tebogo, Botswana’s trailblazing star, dominated with five Diamond League wins and famously clinched the Olympic 200m gold in Paris with a blistering personal best of 19.46 seconds. Bednarek, however, wasn’t far behind, taking silver in Paris with a 19.62. But just weeks later, he got his revenge in Brussels, outpacing a favored Tebogo with a 19.67 to claim his second career Diamond Trophy. “I’m dangerous,” Bednarek recently declared after his GST sweep, clearly brimming with confidence. Will his familiarity with Eugene’s legendary Hayward Field give him the edge?

Eugene’s Hayward Field is practically a second home for Bednarek. Three of his top-ten fastest 200m times have been run there, fueled by the electric atmosphere. Tebogo, on the other hand, brings unmatched momentum from his Olympic triumph. With both sprinters in peak form, this clash promises to be a sprint for the ages. All eyes will be on July 5 to see who seizes the Diamond League crown!