Bednarek secures maiden global crown in Budapest 100m

The ability to remain relaxed when running at top speed is the secret to winning the 100m event and Kenny Bednarek from the USA achieved this by winning the men’s 100m title with a time of 9.85 (wind speed -0.6m/s) at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Saturday (12).

The next athlete was World Champion Oblique Seville from Jamaica with a time of 9.90, followed by Ronnie Baker of the USA in third place at 9.93, who just edged out Kayinsola Akayi of Nigeria, who also ran 9.93, to take fourth place by four thousandths of a second; Coleman came fifth with a time of 9.94, a Christian.

“For the history books,” Bednarek remarked, with Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles watching him from the trackside. “Although the atmosphere here is more exciting than at the World Championships, this event also placed more pressure on me since a lot is at stake.”

In his semi-final Seville won with a time of 9.90 (a wind aid of -0.2m/s) and began his race comfortably as the slight favourite. Bednarek won the other semi-final with a time of 9.94 (a wind aid of -0.7m/s).

In the final, Seville took the lead by overtaking Coleman, who had led early, about halfway through the race; at the same time, Bednarek moved up on his left side, showing the US sprinter’s strength in the second half.

As the team approached the line, Seville’s technique began to falter. Bednarek stayed calm and extended his arm, racing round the corner almost as quickly as the celebrations started.

Bednarek has won a number of silver medals internationally during the years, coming in second in two of the Olympic finals and two of the world finals over the 200m event. He has now at last become an individual world champion and also has the opportunity to win two medals in the 200m on Sunday.

I’ll go to bed and be back at work tomorrow, he said. I would like to win a double title and give people a happy ending. “Run faster, but Kenny got the best performance in this race,” Seville said before giving the champion his congratulations. “It has been a long season and I’m now tired. I’m going to take some time off and I know what I need to improve on for next year. I want to keep my world champion title next year.”

Baker was satisfied with his third-place finish. “I had a good performance today,” he said. “I haven’t been in a final on the big world stage for a long time and that’s something I missed. I like this format, and I’m aware that it’s keeping a great many people on their guard. It’s fun, fast and entertaining.”