Sometimes the fastest runs are the most relaxed. Asafa Powell in Rieti with 9.74 slowing down in a heat, then 9.78 in the final going hard.
It was a bad move by Kerley to go this hard, even if he is a big favourite. It is likely to lead to a slower time in the final than if he'd cruised after 40m.
Norman should have made this same move a couple years ago or in the future. He’s faster and with a better start. If he’s train for the 100ms he’d destroy these guys.
If Kerley gets really really lucky and catches a 2.0 wind then 9.6 low is probably in his range. However 9.70-9.75 is probably a more realistic prediction.
As Ato Boldon pointed out this was Maurice Greene's WR time.
I'd like to know what Kerley is doing that Green wasn't. And don't say drugs as drug testing was not as good back then.
But seriously what is different about training or do shoes and track make that much a difference?
Shoes probably help a little. Better tuned tracks probably help a little. Maybe Kerley is just slightly faster than Mo too. Heck, Tyson Gay is faster than Mo too. Let's hope for something special from Fred this meet!
Kerley will have a legit shot at the American record. I think the absolute top of his range is 9.6 mid to low if he gets perfect conditions, perfect tailwind, and has a perfect race. 9.58 isn’t happening. 9.69 very well could.
As Ato Boldon pointed out this was Maurice Greene's WR time.
I'd like to know what Kerley is doing that Green wasn't. And don't say drugs as drug testing was not as good back then.
But seriously what is different about training or do shoes and track make that much a difference?
Tracks have more of an impact on times than the shoes (see Tokyo 2021) - but of interest, Hayward isn't Mondo which is considerably better than Beynon.
Look I've seen a lot of track, been in and around the sport for a while and heard a lot of stories - Fred Kerley is is one guy I just have a hard time believing in - that's all I can say. It's not that I don't necessarily not enjoy watching him run - I just struggle to believe it's all legit.