USA’s Fred Kerley Hints at Potential Challenge to Usain Bolt’s 100m World Record After Tokyo Olympics 2020

Fred Kerley proved critics wrong at the Tokyo Olympics this year in an emphatic fashion. The American was under the media hammer for switching disciplines from the 400m race to 100m. Kerley decided that he could perform better at the short distance than the longer ones, and had a go at the trials. 

He came second at Hayward Field Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, losing out to Trayvon Bromell and finishing ahead of Ronnie Baker. Bromell was the favorite to win gold in the 100m at Tokyo itself, but the runner did not even make it to the finals after a disappointing performance. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 100m – Medal Ceremony – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Silver medallist, Fred Kerley of the United States poses on the podium REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Fred Kerley, however, stepped up to the occasion and performed where it mattered the most. The American broke his personal bests to clock a blistering timing of 9.84 seconds. He was beaten only by Lamont Marcell Jacobs in the finals, who claimed gold for Italy at 9.80 seconds. 

Content with his performance, Kerley silenced the critics and aims to move further up the ladder in the 100m race. In a recent post on Twitter, the American teased his intention to go ahead and break Usain Bolt’s legendary 100m world record. 

Greatness soon https://t.co/2qErKnNQ3w

— Fred Kerley (@fkerley99) August 17, 2021

Is Usain Bolt too far out of reach for Fred Kerley

Bolt clocked an insane timing of 9.58 seconds in the men’s 100m race, a feat which he accomplished at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, 2009. The record has not been touched since and runners have not even come close to it. 

That timing is the benchmark not just for Fred Kerley, but every athlete. Usain Bolt may have set the bar too high, but to beat him would be the greatest victory. With his place in the 100m race now secure, Kerley could go on to challenge the record. 

Jun 20, 2021; Eugene, OR, USA; Trayvon Bromell (center) defeats Micah Williams (left) and Fred Kerley to win the 100m in 9.80 during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

However, beating it would be something of an obstacle since the American’s best timing is 9.84 seconds. His teammate Trayvon Bromell has a personal best of 9.77 seconds which places him in a better position for improvement once he hits his prime. 

Kerley is determined to make his name and will stop at nothing to win gold in the Nike Prefontaine Classic. The silver medal may just be the beginning of a legendary journey. 

Read more: Olympic Gold Medallist Believes Sports ‘Suffered’ During Usain Bolt Era of Dominance

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