Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek would be quite a battle in the 2025 season, don’t you think? Kung-Fu Kenny has some mystic power in his legs this season because he has yet to be defeated. In the Grand Slam Track, he has gone claiming titles in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia, and setting meet records in both the 100 m and 200 m. Kung-Fu Kenny has been untouchable so far, claiming titles in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia, setting meet records in both the 100 m and 200 m. Meanwhile, Lyles silenced the doubters in his comeback race at the Monaco Diamond League, clocking 19.88s to beat Letsile Tebogo. He made a season debut with a 19.88s, which he clocked for the win. Now, with the lights of Paris fading, all eyes turn to the 2025 U.S. Outdoor Championships. And this is where Lyles and Bednarek are set to light the fuse on a rivalry that could define the season.

The 2025 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are scheduled to take place at Hayward Field, University of Oregon, in Eugene, from Thursday, July 31, to Sunday, August 3, 2025. The event that is to serve as the qualifiers for the World Athletics Championships in September is closing its doors for athletes today, July 22. And we finally know where the Paris Olympics 200m silver and bronze medalists are going to face off. Spoiler alert: The Olympians are doubling.

“Olympic champion and reigning World champion Noah Lyles, Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley, 200m Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek, Christian Coleman, Jordan Anthony, and T’Mars McCallum are all doubling,” reported Citius Mag today. This marks an interesting time as Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley will once again be doubling their events in World Championship qualifiers. The 2022 world 200m champion, Noah Lyles, skipped the 200m at the 2023 USA Championships and instead placed 3rd in the 100m with a time of 10.00s to secure his spot on Team USA, while the 2022 world 100m champion, Fred Kerley, opted only to run the 200m, finishing 4th with a time of 19.86s to qualify. Both of them had byes in their defending disciplines for the 2023 World Championships.

Here, Kenny Bednarek also ran only the 200m, finishing 2nd (19.82s), right behind Erriyon Knighton (19.72s). Christian Coleman was putting himself to the test in both 100 and 200 meters during the 2023 USA Championships. Coleman earned silver in the 100 m with a time of 9.96s, finishing just behind Cravont Charleston (9.95s). He also advanced through the 200 m, winning his heat and placing 6th in the final with a 19.95s effort. Jordan Anthony and T’Mars McCallum are bringing in some young power.

Jordan Anthony was making headlines after headlines back during the NCAA season. T’Mars McCallum posted a wind-legal 19.73s in the 200 m at the Ed Murphey Classic – the fastest 200m of the year until now. These two fixed up with the elites coming to Eugene. It’s going to be a lot of dust and speed.

Noah Lyles had a change of plans

Noah Lyles made his 100 m season debut at the London Diamond League on July 19, 2025, and secured a second place with a time of 10.00 s, finishing behind Jamaica’s Oblique Seville (9.86 s), who surged ahead early and never looked back; Britain’s Zharnel Hughes claimed bronze in 10.02s. Before the race in the London Diamond League, he had made his plans clear for the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

In an interview, he said, “We’re going to actually go to USA’s and we’re planning to run 200s. We’re going to run every round. You know, I’m still the national champion in that event, and I don’t believe in giving up titles.” At the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships, Noah Lyles delivered a dominant performance in the men’s 200 meters, winning the gold in 19.86 seconds. He made it clear he’s not one to give up a title easily. If someone wants it, they’ll have to take it from him.

“So, going in there and preparing throughout every round and treating it like this is not only just practice, but again, you need great competition and you need a great stage and utilizing that to the best of our abilities,” he said. Kenny Bednarek would be some great competition, given that he defeated the Olympic gold medalist in 200m in the Paris Olympics. He already has his eyes on Noha’s triple crown. When asked if he would run 100m in the USAs, Lyles made it a clear no.

“As of right now, there hasn’t been any changes to that. We don’t see a reason to double because we feel that there’ll be just too much in 4 days. But definitely plan to do the 200. As of now, it might change, but as of now, it’s fine,” he said. Well, now that he is in the 200m and 100m as well, how is he going to perform? Any predictions?