Justin Gatlin backs Kenny Bednarek to run 9.8s in the 100m after clocking world lead in the 200m at Doha Diamond League

Kenny Bednarek earned praise from the veteran American track and field legend Justin Gatlin, who thinks that Bednarek can shock the world with a sub-10 finish of 9.80 seconds in a 100-meter event. The applause from Gatlin comes after Bednarek clocked a new personal best in the 200-meter category during the Doha Diamond League.

The 25-year-old Tulsa-born Bednarek made waves on Friday (10 May) after he won the 200-meter sprint in a new personal-best finish of 19.67 seconds. Furthermore, this was the world-leading finish of the ongoing season and a new meeting record in Doha. His dominance was so pronounced at the Qatar event that he was the only runner in the 200-meter lineup who completed the race in a sub-20, as others were left behind by a significant margin.

Kenny Bednarek has garnered acclaim from track and field fans and enthusiasts for being one of the most promising track runners in the United States. Joining this list is five-time Olympic medalist Justin Gatlin, who was in conversation with the former Bahamian sprinter turned track coach, Rodney Green, and the two were admiring Bednarek's Doha Diamond League display when Gatlin stated:

"I want to see what he's going to do in the 100 meters, if he's out there running 19.67, opening up like that in a Diamond League race. I think he can run 9.80 bro."

Justin Gatlin posted the above discussion on his X handle (formerly Twitter) and wrote:

"I think Kenny can run 9.8 in the 100M"

Not to mention Kenny Bednarek has already clocked 9.89 seconds as his personal best with a legal tailwind of +0.8 m/s at Eugene, Oregon, in June 2021.

Kenny Bednarek to feature in 2024 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix

The Olympic silver medalist is having the time of his life in the ongoing season; he played a pivotal role in helping the United States 4x100m relay team alongside Noah Lyles, Courtney Lindsey, and Kyree King secure the Paris Olympics 2024 ticket after their win at the 2024 World Relays.

To add more to his ever-growing list of accolades, Kenny Bednarek is going to participate in the upcoming 2024 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in Drake Stadium from May 17 (Friday) to May 18 (Saturday), where he will be participating in the 100-meter event on Saturday and would be eager to capitalize on his fine form on the track.

To stay in shape and ready for the upcoming track challenges, Bednarek has already started to train and has updated the fans about the same on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.