Kenny Bednarek is an American track and field sprinter who was born on the 14th of October 1998 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He is also known as “Kung Fu Kenny” because of the headband that is used like Rambo on stage. Bednarek is the son of Mary Bednarek and has a twin brother Ian Bednarek. He specializes in the 200 meters and has also won silver medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2022 World Championships.
In 2019, he secured his place as the first American to run for the 200m and 400m against 20 seconds and 45 seconds respectively during the NJCAA Championships. He earned the USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week award on May 22, 2019.
Kenny Bednarek’s College Career
Kenny Bednarek attended Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. Bednarek did not meet the academic requirements to attend a major four-year university which led him to Indian Hills Community College.
How much did Kenny Bednarek average in College?
During his time at Indian Hills, Bednarek also set the fastest indoor 200-meter time in the US and the second fastest in the world for the indoor season placing him tied for 13th on the all-time indoor list. His outstanding achievements earned him the "USATF Athlete of the Week" honor on May 22, 2019.
On May 17, 2019, Bednarek made headlines by running the fourth fastest 200 meters ever recorded under any conditions. Competing at the NJCAA National Championships in Hobbs, New Mexico, he clocked an incredible 19.49 seconds with a strong 6.1 mps tailwind in the semi-finals.
Bednarek ran the 200 meters in 19.82 seconds the next day despite facing a -0.8 mps headwind. In the 400 meters, he ran 44.73 seconds and became the NJCAA national champion in both events. His 19.82-second finish ranked him ahead of Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith's former world record making it the 30th fastest legal race of all time. Only six athletes have run faster in a negative wind and Bednarek's performance was the fastest under such conditions for anyone running sub-19.95.
Bednarek joined a select group of athletes who ran both sub-20 seconds in the 200 meters and sub-45 seconds in the 400 meters on the same day. The only other person to achieve this is Botswana's Isaac Makwala who was 28 years old when he did so in 2014.
In July 2019, Bednarek decided to turn professional. He got a sponsorship deal with Nike and started training in Florida under the supervision of the former world champion sprinter and Olympic medalist Justin Gatlin.
Where did Kenny Bednarek go to School?
Kenny Bednarek attended Rice Lake High School. He won seven individual state titles and helped his team secure a 4x400 relay championship. In 2018, he recorded the fastest high school 200-meter time in the nation at 20.43 seconds.
During his junior and senior years at the high school, Bednarek also excelled in football scoring 17 touchdowns as a wide receiver, kick returner, and on jet sweeps. He helped the Rice Lake Warriors win state championships in both track and football during his senior year. Kenny achieved Wisconsin all-class records in 200 and 400 meters and Division 2 records in 100 meters.
FAQ's On Kenny Bednarek College
A. Kenny Bednarek belongs to Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States.
A. Kenny Bednarek’s American by nationality.
A. Kenny Bednarek is 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall.
A. Kenny Bednarek is trained by Dennis Mitchell.