How a simple coaching advise from Dennis Mitchell was a vital component in shaping Olympic medallist Kenny Bednarek's 2024 season accomplishments.
American star sprinter Kenny Bednarek had one of the most brilliant career exploits of an athlete this season, having won an Olympic medal in Paris and claimed the Diamond League title against pre-race favourite Letsile Tebogo.
The 25-year-old's highlight to 2024 success started with qualifying for the Paris Games at the US Olympic trials, by placing second in the 100m and 200m respectively behind Noah Lyles, as both broke Michael Johnson's meet record of 19.66s set in 1996, clocking a blistering time of 19.53s to 19.59s (a new Personal Best).
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While Bednarek had made the last three World Championship or Olympic teams in the 200m, it was the first time he made a 100m global team, after blazing to a personal best of 9.87s in the 100m final.
Then at the Paris Olympics, Bednarek settled for the seventh-place finish in the 100m final in a modest time of 9.88s but bounced back with a blistering run of 19.62s to win the 200m silver medal behind Tebogo, who clocked an African Record of 19.45s.
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However, his only title of the season came at the Diamond League final in Brussels, with a triumphant run of 19.67s to defeat Tebogo and end his fantastic season on a high.
Following his 2024 exploits, the two-time Olympic silver medallist and Diamond League champion has credited his coach Dennis Mitchell's piece of advise as one of the main components that drove him to success.
In an interview with @cbsnews before the Paris Olympics, Bednarek revealed that having more fun as advised by his coach led him to his accomplishments this season.
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"Stay calm, relax, have fun, and just go. Because I've been to a point that I try to do too much and failed, but this year I'm having a lot more fun and all my races have been good and solid," he disclosed.
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Bednarek's consistency and eventual dominance in Brussels established his name in the top three elite league of the world's best 200m sprinters behind Tebogo and Lyles, which bodes for jaw-dropping performances and rivalry to expect from the three-speed kings in the 2025 season.
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