Bednarek shrugs – Kenny Bednarek won the men’s 100 at the Los Angeles Grand Prix with a wind-aided 9.72, finishing ahead of Christian Coleman (9.84) and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (9.88). Despite an ongoing rivalry with Noah Lyles, Bednarek said he focuses on himself, not one opponen
Sunday in Los Angeles started with a sprint that looked easy the moment Kenny Bednarek accelerated away from the field.
Bednarek captured the men’s 100 at the Los Angeles Grand Prix with a time of 9.72 in wind-aided conditions (2.4). Christian Coleman followed in 9.84 for second, and Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu touched down at 9.88 for third. “It felt great,” Bednarek said. “It felt easy.” He entered the race with a season-best legal time of 9.98 in the 100.
The field included Letsile Tebogo and Noah Lyles—though Tebogo’s night didn’t match the weight of what he’s already done. Tebogo finished fifth with a time of 9.95 after falling behind early, a stark contrast to his recent history. Tebogo made history by winning gold in the men’s 200 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. delivering the first Olympic gold medal for his nation in any sport. In Paris, he ran a personal-best and national record 19.46 to win. His lifetime best in the 100 is 9.86, and he entered Sunday with a season-best of 9.95 in the 100.
Bednarek arrived in Los Angeles with a global spotlight on him as well. He entered Sunday’s race with the second-fastest 200 time in the world this year—19.69. He is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 200 and a two-time silver medalist in the event at the world championships.
The story, however, isn’t just who won—it’s who Bednarek claims he’s trying to beat. Noah Lyles and Bednarek have an ongoing rivalry. one that seemed to spike when Bednarek pushed Lyles after Lyles won a tense 200 sprint at the 2025 U.S. track and field championships. Lyles has bested Bednarek at multiple world championships. and the Paris Games added another chapter: Bednarek finished second to Lyles in the 200. while Lyles took third.
When asked about Lyles after Sunday’s 100 victory, Bednarek didn’t talk like a man hunting a specific target. “I don’t really focus on him. I just focus on myself. He’s gotten the better of me several times. but at the end of the day it’s not just one person I’m trying to beat. ” he said. “I’m trying to beat everybody.”.
That mindset landed in a larger calendar question about when Bednarek might actually get his “ultimate revenge.” His chance could come two years from now—less than a mile from where he competed Sunday.
The Los Angeles Grand Prix was held at Allyson Felix Field at Katherine B. Loker Track Stadium. within walking distance of the LA Memorial Coliseum. which will host the track and field competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bednarek framed the visit as more than just another meet. “Coming out to LA. seeing stuff. enjoying the food. the atmosphere. seeing some of the fans. it kind of gives you a little inkling of what’s to come for LA 2028. ” he said. “I’m definitely excited for that. Got to wait two years, but it’s not that long. It’s around the corner.”.
The sequence of Sunday’s results and the way Bednarek talked about them leaves a clear picture: he can acknowledge the rivalry with Noah Lyles, but he’s choosing to run as if the only contest that matters is the one directly in front of him—one race at a time, and one season at a time.
Kenny Bednarek Los Angeles Grand Prix men’s 100 Noah Lyles rivalry Christian Coleman Abdul-Rasheed Saminu Letsile Tebogo LA 2028 Olympics U.S. track and field