Kolkata<\/b>Looking forward to his home Olympics, Los Angeles 2028, double Worlds and Olympics 200m silver medallist American sprinter \u2018Kung Fu Kenny\u2019 Bednarek is eyeing to clock 19.20 in 200m and 9.69 in 100m this year.<\/p>\n
Bednarek, the international event ambassador of the 10th Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, is keen to land gold in big events. \u201cI want to hit 19.3 in the 200m, 19.2. I know I have the capability to do that…Going into this year, I feel pretty confident about my technique. For the 100m, I want to see if I can crack at 9.72 or 9.69,\u201d said Bednarek, who has personal bests of 19.57 and 9.79 in 200m and 100m respectively, here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
On the tough competition in the men\u2019s 200m, Bednarek said, \u201cIt\u2019s getting very intense. Three years ago, it was just Noah (Lyles) and I. Now every year there\u2019s somebody trying to attain that gold medal. This year it was the closest 200m final (at the Worlds) I\u2019ve ever been in and I was happy to come out with the medal…I\u2019m a silver surfer right now, so I definitely want to change that colour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bednarek enjoyed his rivalry with compatriot Lyles. \u201cThere\u2019s a little bit of pushing each other. They know I\u2019m right there. I\u2019m getting better every single year. This year was a pretty big step in my career and the next four years are going to be amazing. I\u2019m expecting big things.\u201d<\/p>\n
About double Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, Bednarek said, \u201cI didn\u2019t know who he was when he won his first one. It\u2019s good that he represented the country, (won) the first medal, especially the gold. India has a lot of talented people, they need the right coaching, training and recovery. If you have the right setup, then everybody can (win medals).\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n