'Kung Fu' Kenny Bednarek nickname, explained: How head tie earned USA track star unique moniker

Kenny Bednarek is one of the fastest athletes in the world. The USA track star is among the medal hopefuls at the 2024 Olympics, and he will be hoping to challenge his countryman Noah Lyles for gold in the 200-meter dash.

Lyles is favored to beat Bednarek in that race, and the 25-year-old runner is no guarantee to get onto the podium.

However, Bednarek has one thing nobody can take away from him: The best nickname among the runners at the 2024 Olympics.

Here's what to know about Bednarek's unique nickname and the get-up that earned him the official moniker.

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What is Kenny Bednarek's nickname?

Kenny Bednarek's nickname is "Kung Fu Kenny." He earned the moniker ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and it has come with him to Paris in 2024.

'Kung Fu Kenny' nickname, explained

Bednarek earned his nickname because of a head tie he wears while running his races. He first started wearing the accessory after a discussion with his girlfriend, during which they decided he should pick "something to do to have people get more into me and what I’m doing and who I am," per Team USA's official website .

Bednarek compared the head tie to the one worn by the titular character from "Rambo" — after whom his pet Husky is named. After first wearing it, Bednarek gave the moniker to himself.

"I’m trying to be a little bit more fun, like a ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ thing," he explained in 2021.

The nickname has stuck as Bednarek has continued to wear the headgear. He figures to wear it during the 2024 Olympics as he takes aim at a gold medal in the 200-meter race.

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Kenny Bednarek medal count

Bednarek has one Olympic medal to his name, and he earned it at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. He took home the silver medal in the 200-meter race after running a personal best of 19.68. Canada's Andre de Grasse was just 0.06 seconds faster than him as he took home the gold.

That said, Bednark was 0.06 seconds faster than Lyles, who won the bronze medal in the competition. As such, he has the speed needed to challenge Lyles for the title in Paris, as well.

Only time will tell if Bednarek can do it, but either way, he seems to have a good shot at earning his second career Olympic medal in Paris.