Team USA Track Star, “Kung Fu” Kenny Bednarek, recently spoke with ESSENCE Black Women In Sports host and producer, Sharí Nycole, about how he overcame a serious injury and positioned himself for success at the Paris Games. He also shared his very unique pre-race ritual.
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00:00As promised everybody, I still have my headband on because Kung Fu Kenny said I could have it on.
00:04He did say it looked nice. I just want to make sure, one more time, am I good?
00:07You're good.
00:08Okay.
00:10I really enjoyed you guys' panel today, first of all.
00:12For you, we talked about your injury a little bit and how you've overcome that.
00:16What's the prep been like for you as we move closer and closer to Paris?
00:19Just train smarter and not harder.
00:21So, you know, there's going to be days where I'm feeling a little down.
00:23I'm like, hey, I want to push it.
00:25But then I got to be like, hey, remember what happened last year, you know.
00:27If you're not feeling it, then, you know, take a chill day.
00:30So, I'm just trying to be smarter with this year, try to recover better.
00:34I bought a few equipments to help with that, like a sauna and all that stuff.
00:36So, putting all the stops for this year so I can make sure to get on the team and get that gold medal.
00:42Love that.
00:42So, moving out of the recovery or through the recovery rehab process, you know,
00:46working through your prep, I do want to ask you, is there a particular part,
00:49without giving too much away to your future opponents,
00:51but a particular part of your skill set that you're really working on strengthening
00:55or excited to bring to the table this year?
00:57I mean, as we already know, I'm a good turn runner.
00:58And I've had issues with just staying relaxed, trying to do a little bit too much.
01:02So, now I'm just trying to have fun and relax every single race.
01:05And then the results will come.
01:06I think you're just such a great example for especially young Black boys
01:10who desire one day to be able to walk in your shoes or run in your shoes, I should say.
01:14With that being said, you know, how do you weigh the responsibility
01:16and the honor of being a Black man representing the United States?
01:20I mean, I just show everybody respect.
01:22And I just be me.
01:23For me, it's just being myself and representing my country,
01:26representing my family and everybody else.
01:29That's how I honor them and how I honor, you know, just the U.S.
01:33Any pre-race rituals you have?
01:35Not superstitions, because there is a difference.
01:38Rituals.
01:38Can I tell you one that I used to do in the past?
01:40So, when I was in high school and college, my pre-race ritual,
01:44I used to eat hot Cheetos and Skittles, right?
01:46Ew!
01:48I know, I know.
01:49But I stopped doing it.
01:49But I would say now, I just do a few meditation stuff now.
01:54And I just listen to Little Kendrick and I'm ready to go.
01:59I love it.
01:59Last question.
02:00A lot of athletes that I've talked to have talked about rest.
02:03How many of them are not getting enough?
02:06How do you make sure that you get enough rest?
02:08Or are you getting enough rest right now?
02:10I mean, honestly, it just comes down to discipline.
02:12So, you know, if I want to play a video game a little bit later,
02:15I want to stay up talking to my friends a little later.
02:16You know, you got to make sacrifices at this level
02:19in order to be great, you know?
02:21So, for me, it's just the little details.
02:23Like, hey, time to go to bed.
02:24Go to bed 10.30 instead of 11.30.
02:26Wake up for practice and I'm energized
02:28because every single day is going to be grueling
02:30and every single day matters, you know?
02:33Every rest day matters.
02:34And you're going to feel it at the end of the week.