Kenny Bednarek sets sprinting world on notice in Philadelphia Grand Slam Track as Team GB athletes enjoy strong Day 2
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/16/image-70e52184-1d6b-4d9c-a172-9a13d4a3a1d9-68-310-310.jpeg)
Updated 02/06/2025 at 00:11 GMT+1
TNT Sports brought you live updates from the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia. Matt Hudson-Smith was among the Team GB athletes who made the headlines on the final day as Josh Kerr also featured but American sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stole the show. Watch and stream Grand Slam Track on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Highlights: Hudson-Smith and Bednarek thrill in Philadelphia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Brilliant Bednarek steals the show in Philadelphia Slam
Kenny Bednarek equalled the fastest 100m time of 2025 with a scorching sprint at Grand Slam Track as Team GB athletes found plenty of success in Philadelphia.
Bednarek’s time of 9.86 was a new personal best despite slow conditions at Franklin Field, beating his run in the Paris Olympics 100m final, and he promised "this is not the best, we’ve still got a lot to go, you’re all just getting a taste" in his victory interview.
Meanwhile his compatriot Melissa Jefferson-Wooden sent a similar statement of intent in the women’s Short Sprints by demolishing Gabby Thomas for the second day in a row as she now comfortably leads the women’s Racer of the Year competition.
And there was success for three Team GB athletes as Josh Kerr triumphed in a nailbiting 1500m, Long Hurdler Lina Neilsen snatched a surprise win in her flat 400m and Matt Hudson-Smith took the overall men’s Long Sprints Slam and $100,000 cash prize despite finishing fifth over 200m.
Kerr was made to fight hard for his victory by reigning Olympic champion Cole Hocker and Canadian Marco Arop, who claimed the men’s Short Distance Slam in Pennsylvania.
Having triumphed in the 800m once again on Day 1, this time Arop could back it up in the longer race. He hit the front hard on the final lap and initially gapped the field, before Kerr and Hocker clawed their way back into contention coming off the final bend for a 100-metre sprint to the line.
The taller Brit crossed the line less than a tenth of a second ahead of Hocker in a reverse of the Paris finale last summer as Arop finished fourth to claim the Slam, while Neilsen led out the whole home straight in her race holding off the charging Andrenette Knight and Slam winner Jasmine Jones.
Hudson-Smith said his aim was just to survive the Long Sprints 200m after he pulled his hamstring during the same race in Miami, but Alexander Ogando edging out Jereem Richards for victory meant the Paris 2024 silver-medallist clung onto the Slam by a point.
However, Georgia Turner Bell couldn’t quite complete a quadruple for Team GB athletes as she was beaten in a sprint to the line in the women’s 800m after contact from Australia’s Jess Hull earlier in the final lap, with Diribe Welteji making it two wins from two instead.
Alison dos Santos was beaten for the first time in Grand Slam Track as he ran an awkward flat 400m to finish third, conceding the Long Hurdles Slam to impressive debutant Trevor Bassitt and an outright lead in the men’s Racer of the Year standings to Bednarek.
Fellow newbie Nico Young won the men’s Long Distance after Grant Fisher pulled out late with an injury, he produced a jet-propelled final lap of the men’s 3000m to overhaul rivals including Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran.
Part of Jefferson-Wooden’s now-commanding lead in the women’s competition stemmed from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dropping down from Long to Short Hurdles in Philadelphia but after a disappointing Day 1 the Olympic champion responded well in the flat 100m, finishing second behind a rampant Ackera Nugent who scored a maximum at Franklin Field.
Marileidy Paulino is now the closest challenger having coasted to her second victory of the weekend in the women’s Long Sprints 200m ahead of Penn graduate Isabella Whittaker.
And Jamal Britt also claimed $100,000 in the men’s Short Hurdles, placing second in the flat 100m behind runaway winner Trey Cunningham with that bounty particularly valuable to the unsponsored American.
Watch: Bednarek sets 100m PB to remain Slam perfect
It was a one-horse race in the men's Short Sprints 100m finale in Philadelphia...
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/06/01/image-86f04aa1-0d0d-47bd-929e-67ce8b4a1b0f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘World has to take notice’ – Bednarek soars to Philadelphia Slam win with stunning new 100m PB
Video credit: TNT Sports
Still to come: Los Angeles
The action may have finished for this weekend but there's still plenty more adrenaline-filled racing to come at the final round of Grand Slam Track, in Los Angeles.
UCLA's Drake Stadium will play host to the stars you've grown to know, love and admire throughout the first three rounds with well over a million dollars still to be handed out.
And the all-important Racers of the Year will be crowned in the city that will be the centre of the sporting world for the 2028 Olympics, and it will all be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ so do tune in from June 27-29!
WATCH: Kerr bests Hocker in 1500m
Kerr was back to his best against the reigning Olympic champion...
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/06/01/image-82e59039-0146-4be2-b6c8-bc1b09689899-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Kerr produces storming finish to win men's 1500m but settles for second in Slam
Video credit: TNT Sports
Roll of honour
So without further ado, here's all the winners from a scintillating Philadelphia round of Grand Slam Track:
Men's Short Sprints: Kenny Bednarek
Men's Long Sprints: Matt Hudson-Smith
Men's Short Hurdles: Jamal Britt
Men's Long Hurdles: Trevor Bassitt
Men's Short Distance: Marco Arop
Men's Long Distance: Nico Young
Women's Short Sprints: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
Women's Long Sprints: Marileidy Paulino
Women's Short Hurdles: Ackera Nugent
Women's Long Hurdles: Jasmine Jones
Women's Short Distance: Diribe Welteji
Women's Long Distance: Agnes Ngetich
WATCH: NEILSEN SPRINGS SURPRISE IN 400M
She was nowhere in the 200m but Lina Neilsen turned it all around in the second Long Sprints race...
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/06/01/image-a5531737-7cc6-4d55-aeeb-ab9b4a9e942d-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Team GB's Nielsen wins thrilling women's 400m as Jones takes Slam on Day 2 in Philadelphia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Bednarek: I've still got a lot to go
Bednarek has put the men's sprinting world on notice with that flying performance and told TNT Sports' Radzi Radzi Chinyanganya that the best is yet to come in 2025:
"It feels amazing, I came out to perform and that's what I did.
"This is not the best, we've still got a lot to go. We've not even peaked yet so you're all just getting a taste."
Kenny does it again!
And in a new personal best of 9.86! Bednarek was in a league of his own as second place comes down to a photo finish between Hughes and Levell, in slow conditions the American has also equalled the fastest men's 100m time of the year.
Result: 1. Bednarek - 9.86 (1st overall), 2. Levell (3), 3. Hughes (2), 4. Coleman (6), 5. De Grasse (4), 6. Onwuzurike (7), 7. Brown (5), DNS - Miller (8).
Men's 100m to finish
Can Kung Fu Kenny continue his stunning form at Grand Slam Track, and make it six wins from six? Coleman may have something to say, while sadly Christian Miller is a DNF.
Startlist: Christian Coleman (USA - 3), Udodi Onwuzurike (Nig - 2), Bryan Levell (Jam - 5), Andre De Grasse (Can - 5), Zharnel Hughes (GBR - 8), Kenny Bednarek (USA - 12), Aaron Brown (Can - 6)
Jefferson-Wooden: hard work pays off
She continues to lead the women's Racer of the Year competition with another maximum in Philadelphia, and Jefferson-Wooden said while celebrating:
"It means everything, I've been working so hard for this and I'm just learning so many new things about myself, the way I go about training and staying disciplined when I'm not feeling my best, I'm so happy."
Jefferson-Wooden demolishes Short Sprints field!
The Slam leader exploded out of the blocks, immediately putting metres into Thomas and cross the street with daylight to Davis in second and a tight race for third that includes Asher-Smith.
Result: 1. Jefferson-Wooden - 10.73 (1), 2. Davis (2), 3. Davies (5), 4. Thomas (3), 5. Asher-Smith (4), 6. Barnes (7), 7. Mays (6), 8. Prandini (8).
100m double to finish
First up it's the women's Short Sprints 100m with Thomas smarting after losing the deuce yesterday.
Startlist: Celera Barnes (USA - 2 points this Slam), Thelma Davies (Lib - 1), Jenna Prandini (USA - 3), Jadyn Mays (USA - 4), Tamari Davis (USA - 6), Dina Asher-Smith (USA - 5), Gabby Thomas (USA - 8), Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA - 12)
Arop: Kerr was so strong
He's won every 800m in Grand Slam Track but a change of tactics meant this was the first time the Canadian held on enough in the 1500 to take the Slam and pocket $100,000.
Afterwards, he said:
"That was awesome. I was coming in with a lot of confidence but I knew I'd have to be careful with the tactics so I wanted to make sure I controlled the race for a moment at least and stay composed the whole way.
"I thought I had the win but those guys are so strong, I have to give a lot of credit to them."
Kerr bests Hocker in nailbiting sprint!
Arop flew down the back straight and looked set to stun the longer distance runners like Emmanuel Wanyonyi in Kingston!
But Kerr and Hocker kicked HARD off the bend to make it a two-horse race that the Brit wins on the lunge!
However, Arop just managed to hold onto second meaning he takes the Slam overall by a point.
Result: 1. Kerr - 3.34.44 (2), 2. Hocker (4), 3. Kessler (5), 4. Arop (1), 5. Hoey (3), 6. Nuguse (6), 7. Chapple (7), 8. Giles (8).
Kerr gets ready for 1500m action
Nuguse is the birthday boy but Miami Slam champion Kerr is aiming to be the party pooper in the Short Distance.
Result: Marco Arop (Can - 12 points this Slam), Cole Hocker (USA - 3), Josh Kerr (GBR - 4), Yared Nuguse (USA - 6), Hobbs Kessler (USA - 5), Josh Hoey (USA - 8), Elliot Giles (GBR - 1), Samuel Chapple (Ned - 2).
Hudson-Smith: Better safe than sorry
We've confirmed he does claim the Slam as Richards really needed a victory, and Hudson-Smith said afterwards that this felt a sweeter victory than his Kingston win:
"The last time I ran the 200 in Miami I did by hamstring, this one my coach just told me to be safe and get round.
"I got round and got 100k so can't complain. It's a long year, running two high-quality races back to back is tough on the body but we deal with it the best we can."
Hudson-Smith gets pasted
It was always going to be hard going from lane eight and Hudson-Smith never got going, finishing fifth. He's labelled the Slam champion but we want to check the maths on that.
Richards and Ogando led onto the straight but the Dominican had a ruthless finishing kick and may have given the Brit a massive helping hand there.
Result: 1. Ogando - 20.13 (2nd overall), 2. Richards (3), 3. Gardiner (6), 4. Samukonga (5), 5. Hudson-Smith (1), 6. McRae (4), 7. Boling (7), 8. Powell (8).
Hudson-Smith looks to claim Slam
He is in the hotseat after winning the 400m - this was the order that the Wolverhampton Oympic medallist claimed the Kingston Slam too. so will history repeat itself?
Startlist lane 1-8: Khaleb McRae (USA - 8 points this Slam), Jevaughn Powell (Jam - 2), Matthew Boling (USA - 4), Alexander Ogando (Dom - 3), Muzala Samukonga (Zam - 5), Jereem Richards (Tri - 6), Steven Gardiner (Bah - 1), Matt Hudson-Smith (GBR - 12).
Whittaker: It's a great homecoming
The Penn graduate took second today and overall and said afterwards:
"It's a great homecoming and I'm really grateful to be here and it's fun to come back as an older wiser version of myself.
"I was a little freshman when I first stepped on Franklin Field so it's nice to have this full circle moment."
Paulino coasts to victory
If she's ahead off the turn it's game over and Paulino was already cruising at that stage. She ran down Eid Naser incredibly quickly while Whittaker produced a stunning last 50m to move from sixth to second.
Results: 1. Paulino - 22.46 (1st overall), 2. Whittaker (2), 3. Gbai (4), 4. Eid Naser (7), 5. Pryce (3), 6. Holmes (5), 7. Mawdsley (6), 8. Nielsen (8).
Eid Naser chasing redemption
The Bahraini was disqualified in yesterday's Long Sprints 400m, so will be extra hungry today in the women's 200m.
Startlist lanes 1-8: Laviai Nielsen (GBR - 3 points this Slam), Sharlene Mawdsely (Ire - 4), Isabella Whittaker (USA - 6), Jessika Gbai (CIV - 2), Alexis Holmes (USA - 5).Marileidy Paulino (Dom - 12), Salwa Eid Naser (Brn - 0), Nickisha Pryce (Jam - 8).
Young explodes away to take win!
Wow wow wow! The Challenger shot down the home straight like he'd been fired out of a cannon!
Robinson had led out the last two laps with Coscoran on his shoulder inadvertantly acting as bodyguard to prevent Blanks coming round - nothing could stop Young though who pockets $50,000 just like that after a 53.7 last lap.
Result: 1. Young - 8:01.03, 2. Gilman, 3. Robinson, 4. Coscoran, 5. Blanks, 6. Kurgat, 7. Kwemoi
Kwemoi pushes the pace
He's been swamped the last couple of 3000m races in Grand Slam Track and comes out with a different strategy here. But Coscoran is right on his shoulder at the halfway stage...
Fisher missing in 3000m
The American has been the man to beat in Grand Slam Track men's Long Distance so far, but an injury means Young steps into his place today.
Remember, the Long Distance has been shortened to just this race for $50,000 and Ireland's Corscoran won this in Miami.
Startlist: Ronald Kwemoi (Ken), Sam Gilman (USA), Nico Young (USA), Graham Blanks (USA), Ky Robinson (Aus), Edwin Kurgat (Ken), Andrew Coscoran (Ire).
Nugent bests McLaughlin-Levrone, but not by much!
McLaughlin-Levrone held Nugent for the first half before the Jamaican stretched away to take the Slam.
McLaughlin-Levrone popped up a bit too quick but she's kept within range of winning the overall women's Racer of the Year with those eight points.
It was a two-horse race but Kamdundji was third in the race.
Result: 1. Nugent - 11.11 (1st overall), 2. McLaughlin-Levrone (2), 3. Kambundji (5), 4. Williams (7), 5. Marshall (6), 6. Tapper (4), 7. Jones (3), 8. Clemons (8).
What can Sydney do in flat 100m?
It's safe to say McLaughlin-Levrone is somewhat out of her comfort zone on the flat 100m in the Short Hurdles - she's not raced this properly since 2018 while Nugent seems the favourite to take the race and the Slam.
Startlist: Megan Tapper (Jam - 6 points this Slam), Tia Jones (USA - 8), Ditaji Kambundji (Sui - 3), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA - 4), Ackera Nugent (Jam - 12), Danielle Williams (Jam - 2), Tonea Marshall (USA - 5), Christine Clemons (USA - 1).
Money means a lot to Britt
Britt said the $100,000 he's just won could mean the difference between continuing to compete at not:
"There was no pressure, I was coming out here trying to replicate what I did in Miami
"I'm just going to save, I'm unsponsored so I'm going to save that money use it to my advantage to continue to run in the sport.
"The past couple years has been a struggle trying to get treatment and compete at the highest level and be the elite athlete I know I am."
Britt takes Short Hurdles Slam by a hair!
Cunningham blasted away from the field up the middle, it was a nailbiting three-way fight between the three inside lane though as Britt snatched second on his lunge to win the Slam overall.
Result: 1. Cunningham - 10.36 (2nd overall), 2. Britt (1), 3. Simonelli (4), 4. Tinch (3), 5. Edwards Jr (5), 6. Szymanski (8), 7. Crittenden (6), DNS - Roberts (7).
1st Men's 100m up next
Trey Cunningham is looking like the favourite to win this race, the first of four flat 100m races coming up today.
It could be a tall order for Britt to hold into his overall lead in the Slam though as Daniel Roberts is a DNS.
Startlist: Eric Edwards Jr (USA - 2 points in Slam). Jamal Britt (USA - 12), Lorenzo Ndele Simonelli (Ita - 4). Freddie Crittenden (USA - 3), Cordell Tinch (USA - 8), Trey Cunningham (USA - 6), Jakub Szymanski (Pol - 1).
Hunter Bell pipped in photo finish!
Hull looked like she shoved the Brit as she attempted to escape being boxed in, and that may well have made all the difference!
Hunter Bell was chasing down Welteji all the way down the straight but just couldn't catch the Ethiopian who takes a maximum in Philadelphia.
Result: 1. Welteji - 1:58.94 (1st overall), 2. Hunter Bell (3), 3. Hull (2), 4. Caldwell (4), 5. Moraa (6), 6. Wiley (7), 7. Hiltz (5), 8. Akins (8).
All to play for in women's 800m
Welteji and Hull fought out a barnstorming women's 800m in the Short Distance, can she hold on and claim the $100,000 over the shorter distance?
She looked like she was easing off the throttle down the main straight so should have a bit more in the tank though Hiltz received a very warm welcome from the crowd and will be hard to beat.
Startlist: Jess Hull (Aus - 8 points this Slam), Nikki Hiltz (USA - 6), Diribe Welteji (Eth - 12), Mary Moraa (Ken - 2), Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR - 5), Nia Akins (USA - 0), Abbey Caldwell (Aus - 4), Addy Wiley (USA - 3)
Nielsen upsets the odds!
Nielsen wins for Britain! She exited the final bend in the lead from lane two and try as Knight and Jones tried, they couldn't overhaul the Challenger!
Meanwhile Jones' second place is enough to take the overall Slam.
Result: 1. Nielsen - 52.60 (3rd overall), 2. Jones (1), 3. Knight (4), 4. Clayton (6), 5. Muhammed (5), 6. Cockrell (2), 7. Folorunso (4), DNS - Little (8).
Can Cockrell follow suit in 400m?
We could see two Challenger Slam wins in two if Cockrell defends her lead in the women's Long Hurdles.
Startlist lanes 2-8: Lina Nielsen (GBR - 3 points this Slam), Dalilah Muhammad (USA - 5), Anna Cockrell (USA - 12), Ayomide Folorunso (Ita - 2), Jasmine Jones (USA - 8), Rushell Clayton (Jam - 4), Andrenette Knight (Jam - 6).
Bassitt channels inner Lasso
Bassitt told TNT Sports' Radzi Chinyanganya he always had faith he could break Dos Santos' invicible run:
"Just believe. I stepped to the line, I believe that I can do it, I put myself in range yesterday and I wanted to give everything today"
Dos Santos is beaten!
Bassitt has done it! And Chris Robinson is third meaning Bassitt takes the Philadelphia Slam - Dos Santos didn't have the kick down the straight that he's usually produced and Bassitt takes the $100,00 as a Challenger!
Result: 1. Bassitt - 45.47 (1st overall), 2. Robinson (3), 3. Dos Santos (2), 4. Dean (4), 5. Wilson (5), 6. Drummond (7), 7. Ducos (8), 8. Allen (6).
Prepare for lift-off
It's almost time for our first race and all eyes are on whether Alison dos Santos can continue his perfect record at Grand Slam Track, in the Long Hurdles men's 400m.
Startlist lanes 1-8: Gerald Drummond (CRC - 2 points this Slam), Assinie WIlson (Jam - 3), CJ Allen (USA - 4), Trevor Bassitt (USA - 8), Caleb Dean (USA - 5), Clement Ducos (Fra - 1), Alison dos Santos (Bra - 12), Chris Robinson (USA - 6),
Tonight's menu
Those double-headers of the same men's and women's races back-to-back worked wonderfully yesterday and we got more of that today, except the Distance races.
Here's the schedule, all UK time:
20:41 - Men’s 400m (Long Hurdles)
20:50 - Women’s 400m (Long Hurdles)
20:59 - Women’s 800m (Short Distance)
21:09 - Men’s 100m (Short Hurdles)
23:22 - Women’s 100m (Short Hurdles)
22:25 - Men’s 3000m (Long Distance)
22:42 - Women’s 200m (Long Sprints)
22:51 - Men’s 200m (Long Sprints)
23:00 - Men’s 1500m (Short Distance)
22:07 - Women’s 100m (Short Sprints)
22:16 - Men’s 100m (Short Sprints)
Hello and welcome!
We had a barnstorming opening day at the Philadelphia round of Grand Slam Track, and there's 11 more races coming up today in the finale!
Josh Kerr is looking for back-to-back 1500m wins while Matt Hudson-Smith will attempt to seal the Long Sprints title today, while Paris gold medalists Gabby Thomas and Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone are looking to get back on track.
The action is live on TNT Sports 4 and discovery+ right now with the first race less than 10 minutes away so be sure to tune in - if it's anything like yesterday we're in for a real treat.
What is the format of Grand Slam Track?
Each Slam consists of six event categories for both males and females, which all include two disciplines that take place over the weekend - except long distance which has been reduced to just the 3,000m for Philadelphia.
Each category includes eight competitors, with four of those being contracted 'Grand Slam Racers' and will be joined by four Grand Slam Challengers in each race.
The event categories are as follows:
- Short Sprints: 100m & 200m
- Short Hurdles: 100m(F) / 110m(M) Hurdles & 100m Flat
- Long Sprints: 200m & 400m
- Long Hurdles: 400m Hurdles & 400m Flat
- Short Distance: 800m & 1,500m
- Long Distance: 3,000m
All athletes compete in both events of their chosen discipline, meaning that a short distance runner will run in both the 100m and 200m.
Points will be scored across both events that are added together, and are awarded as follows: 12-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for 1st to 8th place.
These points are used to generate the final standings, and any ties will be settled by whoever has the fastest combined running time.
These points do not carry over to the next Slam, but there will be a 'Racer of the Year' award in each race group for the competitor with the best cumulative score.
What is the prize money?
- First place: $100,000
- Second place: $50,000
- Third place: $30,000
- Fourth place: $25,000
- Fifth place: $20,000
- Sixth place: $15,000
- Seventh place: $12,500
- Eighth place: $10,000
How to watch Grand Slam Track 2025 on TNT Sports and discovery+?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Watch the best sporting action live and on-demand via discovery+.
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement