Kenny Bednarek Claims Noah Lyles 'Favorite' Event After Grand Slam Track Dominance
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Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek has staked his claim to Noah Lyles’ favorite event—the 200m—following a dominant start to his 2025 campaign in the Grand Slam Track (GST) series.
Bednarek began his season in emphatic style at the Kingston leg of the GST, securing a double victory in the 100m and 200m.
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The American track star has since carried that momentum into the Miami leg, setting the stage for a bold challenge to Lyles' dominance in the half-lap sprint.
“200m TONIGHT. Let’s finish the job,” Bednarek posted on social media ahead of his race on May 5.
“After locking in the 100m win yesterday, I’m coming back for more. This is my race. My distance,” he added, sending a clear message to his rivals.
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Bednarek vs Lyles
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The timing of Bednarek’s declaration is significant. With the 2025 World Athletics Championships looming, fans are eagerly anticipating a head-to-head clash between the two American sprint stars.
Their rivalry intensified after the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Bednarek edged Lyles for silver, with both trailing Botswana’s rising star Letsile Tebogo, who claimed gold.
Lyles, who is the reigning world champion and the third-fastest man in history over 200m (19.31s), has long considered the event his own, even publicly targeting Usain Bolt’s world record of 19.19.
Bednarek’s resurgence and assertive claims not only reignite one of track’s fiercest rivalries but also add an extra layer of excitement to what promises to be a thrilling build-up to the World Championships.
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