"First dub as a coach" - Fred Kerley takes pride in mentoring Olympic gold medalist Mondo Duplantis as he defeats Karsten Warholm in 100m clash

Fred Kerley recently expressed his pride in coaching the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Mondo Duplantis after the latter's victory over the 2024 Games silver medalist Karsten Warholm. The two-time Olympic medalists Duplantis and Warholm locked horns in the 100m race ahead of the 2024 Zurich Diamond League.

The Swedish-American pole vaulter challenged the 400m sprinting powerhouse during a training session ahead of the Monaco Diamond League last year. On Wednesday night, September 4, 2024, Duplantis defeated Warholm in the much anticipated head-to-head showdown in front of the packed Letzigrund Stadion grandstand in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Swedish star recorded a staggering 10.37 seconds to seal the win over the Norwegian Olympian, who posted 10.47 seconds. Much of the pole vaulter's success can be attributed to the two-time 100m Olympic medalist Kerley. The American sprinter mentored Duplantis to use the blocks at the start of the sprint.

Duplantis had been honing his sprinting skills with the assistance of the world champion. Taking pride in his protege's triumph, Kerley expressed delight, stating it was his debut as a coach.

"First dub as a coach."

To which Duplantis reacted in the comment section:

"🫡💙"

Kerley, Duplantis, and Warholm, all three athletes enjoyed a successful run at the 2024 Paris Olympics securing a bronze, gold, and silver medal, respectively.

"It was nice to get some advice" - Mondo Duplantis on having Fred Kerley's assistance after his victory over Karsten Warholm

Fred Kerley reacts after men's 100m run during the Diamond League in Chorzow, Poland. (Photo via Getty Images)

Following his victory over Karsten Warholm, Mondo Duplantis expressed his delight in having Fred Kerley's assistance.

In an interview with Citius Mag after his triumph, Duplantis acknowledged Kerley's guidance after having trained alone for the face-off. He stated that working with Kerley added the necessary speed and motivation that he couldn't replicate on his own.

“So I pulled up on him at 2 O’clock, and then we did blocks together, and that was so necessary because I have been doing them by myself," Dupalntis said. "You really cannot replicate the feeling of having somebody on your side, and that was a lot of speed on my side, which was something I needed, and it felt right.”

He added:

“I have a feel of it and watch what other people do, and I am kind of imitating people, but it was nice to get some advice on positioning on the blocks.”

While Fred Kerley secured a bronze medal in the 100m with 9.81 seconds, Mondo Duplantis claimed a gold medal after clearing a world record-breaking jump of 6.25m at the Paris Games.