© Copyright – 2023 – Athletics Illustrated
Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley, two of America’s fastest 100-metre sprinters, were off to the races Sunday and winning. Coleman rolled out a 9.78 performance at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix. Kerley dropped a 9.88-second performance for the win at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Yokohama.
Both are looking to be in peak form for the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships in August.
An anticipated battle between Coleman, and fellow American Noah Lyles as well as Jamaican Ackeem Blake ensued at Flora Duffy Stadium.
9.78s!!🤯🤯
— Oluwadare (@Track_Gazette) May 21, 2023
Christian Coleman 🇺🇲 runs his fastest 100m since 2019, storming to victory in 9.78s (4.4) at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix!
Look at Noah Lyles' 🇺🇲 turn on the turbo at the end, taking 2nd in 9.80s!🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/vZUSenr3uF
The three put on a show as Coleman prevailed in a wind-assisted time of 9.78sec to better Lyles (9.80), with Blake rounding out the podium in 9.87.
“My recollection of the race is that it went pretty good. I knew I had to get out of the blocks and then just hold my own. I didn’t pay too much attention to the pre-race talk. I knew I had a good shot to come out on top if I just executed my race and so it was just about staying focused and reminding myself what I’m capable of.
“I think I’ve got a good shot at the World Championships this year to first make that team and then go out and bring home another medal.
“Hopefully then I can carry that momentum into 2024 and the Olympics. It is going to be a super exciting year, especially coming off the back of Covid and I’m just excited about it because I feel I have a good chance.”
Watch Fred Kerley 🇺🇲 win the men's 100m at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in 9.91s (0.4)!
— Oluwadare (@Track_Gazette) May 21, 2023
9.88 & 9.91 in a day's work, one hour apart.🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ogugmu1ULU
Meanwhile, in Bermuda Kerley wasn’t fooling around.
He is looking to defend his 100m world title in Budapest. He said, “Track and field is a competitive sport, so any given day we can compete against the top guys in the world is a wonderful feeling.”
Kerley will be up against fellow Americans Coleman and Nyles as well as Ferdinand Omanyala from Kenya and Marcell Jacobs of Italy.
In regards to Jacobs, the 28-year-old said, “Hopefully he don’t duck out of this race. I’m in Morocco tomorrow so it’s on and popping.”
Kerley opened his Diamond League season with a 200m win in Doha earlier this month. He ran 19.92sec to finish ahead of fellow American Kenneth Bednarek. He will race against reigning 200m world champion Lyles at that distance in next month’s New York Grand Prix and will be seeking the 100m and 200m double in Budapest.
