Kenny Bednarek insists 2024 is not a 'breakout year' after stunning Letsile Tebogo in Brussels

Kenny Bednarek insists 2024 is not a 'breakout year' after stunning Letsile Tebogo in Brussels

Abigael Wafula 12:30 - 15.09.2024

Kenny Bednarek has insisted that his win over Letsile Tebogo at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels was not by luck as he believes in his capabilities and winning races was his mission this season.

Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek has noted that winning the 200m at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels and beating Letsile Tebogo is not a surprise to him.

The American sprint king insisted that it was something that he knew he was capable of doing and it was just a matter of showing up fully in the race, adding that it has been quite a rollercoaster of a season.

At the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels, Bednarek had a great start off the blocks, clocking 19.67 to cross the finish line ahead of Tebogo who clocked 19.80 seconds. Alexander Ogando rounded up the podium, clocking 19.97 seconds.

"I’m feeling great. It’s been a really long season: I got the silver medal in Paris, I had a few wins during the season, also a few losses: But being able to end the season with a victory in the DL final, gives me a lot of confidence for next year,” Bednarek said.

The former world 200m silver medallist added that this season has proven to the world what he is capable of. He has competed in a couple of races but the highlight of his season was making the cut to the 100m and 200m at the Paris Olympic Games. Bednarek finished second in the 200m and first in the 100m at the US Olympic trials.

In Paris, he claimed a silver medal in the 200m but missed a podium place in the 100m after finishing seventh. He revealed that execution is what played a huge role in his win at the Diamond League Meeting in Brussels.

Beating Tebogo is not an easy feat but Bednarek insisted that winning races was something he was supposed to be doing and it was no surprise.

“I think execution-wise I did what I needed to do and I´m happy with the performance. This year I shocked a few people with how fast I was running. I knew that I had it in me, but the last couple of seasons I had some injuries here and there,” Bednarek said in a post-race interview.

“This season people saw a glimpse of what I can do. It´s not a breakout year, this is something that I was supposed to be doing. Next year I will even be faster and more dangerous.”

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