 "Two-time Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek is the international brand ambassador for the Kolkata run. Image: Reuters")
Olympic medallist and American sprinter Kenny Bednarek is looking forward to being part of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata 2025 after being named the International Brand Ambassador of the event. Speaking ahead of the race, Bednarek said he is happy to see how running culture is growing in India and believes events like this are changing lives.
“I’m really excited to be here. I can see that running culture is changing and it’s helping people. I’m just happy and honoured to be part of this event and excited for Sunday,” Bednarek said about Tata Steel World 25K during an exclusive chat with Firstpost.
Talking about athletics in India, Bednarek felt the sport, especially running, is still developing but moving in the right direction. He said Indian athletes are showing improvement at the global level and mentioned how impressed he was to see Indian sprinter Animesh Kujur compete at the World Championships. According to him, better coaching, gym facilities and access to resources can help Indian athletes take the next step.
“I think the athletics in India when it comes to running in particular is still growing and I’ve seen a big shift in performance. Track and field in particular, seeing Animesh being at the World Championship that was something new to me and for people to improve, just finding the right coaching and having the resources when it comes to the gym training and all that. The track is fine but just those little small details that can help improve sport in general when it comes to getting better,” he said.
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View AllKenny on USA’s dominance, Noah Lyles rivalry
Explaining why the United States continues to produce world-class athletes, Bednarek said, “I think it’s just we’re the U.S. so we have an abundance amount of people that are from all over the world. A lot of these people go into the collegiate system and they have the right coaching and they have everything kind of catered to them when it comes to nutrition and the gym and weight training. We have a lot of top coaches here that train in the U.S. That’s why I say it’s just more so just having the resources and we have a lot of good resources over here and that’s why U.S. is always producing fast athletes every single year.”
When asked about his rivalry with fellow American sprinter Noah Lyles, Bednarek admitted things get intense on the track. “I mean on the track you guys saw what happened there so there’s a rivalry right there and it’s just intense competitive side of me that you guys will see every single time I race against him. And off the track, we’re not best buddies so it’s not like we’re talking here and there. I see him every now and then, but he knows that any given day I’m gonna, I can’t say what I’m thinking, but he knows I’m coming, that’s all I know.”
Kenny on Neeraj Chopra’s rise
Bednarek also praised India’s Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, calling his 2021 Olympic gold a turning point for Indian athletics. “I think it’s amazing when he won his gold medal in 2021. I think that was a big step towards Indian athletics becoming better. He’s just showing people that there is a way to become a champion when it comes to track and field and I’m just happy to see that he’s still doing his thing. He has consistency as well and that’s been on his side so I’m just excited to see more Indian athletes get on the bigger stage and perform at a high level,” he said.
One of the most interesting parts of the interaction was Bednarek explaining the origin of his nickname ‘Kung Fu Kenny’. He said, “I wanted to be different as an athlete and I’m not somebody that likes to be a loud figure. I’m quiet in nature so I’m a big anime lover as well which you know and it has a lot of Kung Fu karate. I love just fighting choreography and you know Kung Fu Kenny has a set of values that pertain to me which is humbleness, discipline, respect, and dedication and you know I just try to implement those values on and off the track.”
Kenny on his future goals
Bednarek said his short-term goal is to become a world champion in both the 100m and 200m and win multiple gold medals at major events. “So short-term goals I guess when it comes to track in particular, I want to be a world champion in the 100 meter in the 200 meter when it comes to the Olympics and the World Championship that’s coming up soon. I want to be a triple gold medalist that’s one of my goals. I also want to be able to hit a 9.69 or faster. I think I have the capabilities of running something pretty good in the 100.”
“With the 200 as well you know I have the capabilities of running a 19.2 and cracking maybe a Usain Bolt record. I know the tools are there and all that matters right now is kind of putting the races together for that to happen. Long-term goals, I just want to get back to my community. I’m an advocate for adoption so in any way that I could help kids in need that need homes that’s something that I want to kind of go into when I get older and in any way I can kind of get back to track or help progress track and field in the US or let’s say in India that’s something that I want to kind of do when I retire with track,” he concluded.
I am a passionate sports writer with a keen eye for the stories that make sports more than just a game. With over six years of experience covering a wide range of sports, I try and bring a unique perspective to the world of sports journalism.