The famous bandana finally ascended the throne as USA’s “Kung-fu Kenny” Bednarek defied the odds to clinch his first global title by cruising to a 9.85 (-0.6m/s) seconds 100 metres victory at the Ultimate Championships here on Saturday night.
The eagerly-awaited final came moments after World Champion Melisa Jefferson-Wooden clocked a world-leading 10.62 to floor Olympic title-holder Julien Alfred in the women’s final before a sold-out – for the second straight day – Gyla Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre
Jamaica’s world champion Oblique Seville (second in 9.90), who strolled through the semis, had been touted as the pre-race favourite with the innovative augmented reality statistics handing the Jamaican a 39 percent chance of winning while placing Kenny Bednarek at 27 percent and Nigeria’s Kayinsola Akayi third at 25 percent.
In the end, it was Bednarek winning, Seville in second, USA’s Ronnie Baker third in 9.93 with Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Akayi (9.93) finishing fourth by four thousandths of a second as Christian Coleman crossed in fifth (9.94).
Kenny Bednarek of Team United States celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the Men's 100 Metres Final ahead of Oblique Seville of Team Jamaica during Day 2 of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship at National Athletics Centre on Saturday (September 12, 2026) in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo / Mattia Ozbot / World Athletics via Getty Images)
‘Silver Man’ finally Pans Gold
In the run-up to these championships, USA's injured multiple World and Olympic champion Noah Lyles said the 28-year-old Winscosin star Bednarek, often referred to as the “silver man” after finishing second in two Olympic finals and two world finals over, would ascend to the throne in his absence.
And “Kung-fu Kenny” did ascend, admitting he was under some pressure in the new championship.
Jamaican legend Usain Bolt, world record holder in the 100m (9.58) and 200m (19.19) watched from trackside as Bednarek utilized his 200m strength to overtake Seville in the final's second half, securing the victory after Seville had passed early leader Coleman.
"This one was for the history books, it has been a great event and I really enjoyed it. Everything is a little bit more exciting than at the World Championships but also this event brought a bit more pressure on me as there is a lot on the line,” Bednarek reacted.
“I am not sure if I need an additional push from the fans but I definitely use it now and then, and the people and the atmosphere here were great. This whole season was about not pressing myself as I did before. I knew that I would have to get out of the blocks quickly today and I did it.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of Team United Stateswon the Women's 100 Metres Final ahead of Julien Alfred of Team Saint Lucia and Sha'Carri Richardson of Team United States. (Photo / Maja Hitij / World Athletics via Getty Images)
Rich Pay Day
All athletes at these new format Ultimate Championship are assured of boosting their bank balances with event winners pocketing $150,000 (Sh19.5 million) each, the awards trickling down to $75,000 (Sh9.75 million) for second place, $40,000 (Sh5.2 million) for third, $25,000 (Sh3.25 million) for fourth, $16,000 (Sh2.80 million) for fifth and going 16-deep with $2,000 (Sh260,000) for athletes finishing in 16th place.
Winners of the relays will split $80,000 (Sh10.4 million) between them, meaning that each winning team member takes home at least Sh2.6 million.
Inspired by touching base with Bolt, the king of doubles, “Kung-Fu Kenny” will be going for a double himself as he is lined up in the 200m on Sunday night where victory will see him take $300,000 (Sh39 million), certainly not a bad weekend in the office!
“I haven't met Usain Bolt here until now. It is really amazing what he did for the sport and what he is doing now by promoting it. I will get my sleep in and go back to work tomorrow (Sunday) for the 200m. I want to win a double title and make people happy."
Bednarek overhauled home favourite Ferdinand Omanyala to win the 100m title at the 2024 Kip Keino Classic. After Friday’s victory, he recollected his Nairobi visit, describing his Kenya as one of the most memorable, and drumming up support for Nairobi to host the World Championships.
Kenny Bednarek arrives in Nairobi for the 2023 Kip Keino Classic. He recollects his Nairobi visit, describing his Kenya as one of the most memorable, and drumming up support for Nairobi to host the World Championships. (Photo / Kip Keino Classic)
‘Why I Love Kenya’
On Tuesday next week, World Athletics will pick the hosts for the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships with Nairobi in the running alongside Munich, London and Rome.
“Kung-fu Kenny” wants to see these championships at Kasarani. “I love that event (Nairobi’s Kip Keino Classic)… I haven’t been there for a minute, but last time I got the better of Omanyala and I was happy with the win,” he told Pura Vida Sports Africa after Saturday’s victory.
“I love going out there (to Nairobi)… I love the culture, I love the people. Every single time I go out there I go for the safari tour. I was to one of the villages one time it was pretty much fun. Kenya is one of the spots that I love going to because there is so much history there and so much culture.”
His thoughts about running a World Championship in Nairobi with the Kenyan capital angling for the 2029 or 2031 World Championship?: “That would actually be nice. For sure. Whenever you guys can get it done, get it done!”
USA's 'Kung-fu Kenny' Bednarek races against Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala and USA's Marvin Bracy-Williams at the 2023 Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi. "I love that event (Nairobi’s Kip Keino Classic)," says Bednarek. (Photo / Kip Keino Classic)
‘How I handle Pressure’
He admitted to the pressure coming into Saturday’s final, but disclosed his pre-race ritual that has kept him focused in pressure cooker moments: “I listen to a bunch of music. Sometimes I listen to instrumental music – nothing in particular, just something that sounds nice…
“I listen to a lot of reggae, I listen to afro-beat… I’m the type of person that wants to make sure that I don’t get too hemmed up (trapped), so I like to listen to things that have a nice flow.
“Sometimes I don’t listen to anything, I just wanna be in the moment, just talk to my people and do the kind of thing that doesn’t make me get into a bubble and just think about track, because sometimes, you know, when you put yourself in a bubble, you start overthinking about the race too much so for me its to just come out here, have fun and enjoy every single moment.”
Kenny Bednarek arrives in Nairobi for the 2024 Kip Keino Classic: I love going out there (to Nairobi)… I love the culture, I love the people.' (Photo / Kip Keino Classic)
