FLORENCE, Italy, May 9 – The Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Florence on June 2 will witness an epic clash between world champion Fred Kerley, Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs, and Diamond League champion Trayvon Bromell over 100 meters. Kerley, Jacobs, and Bromell are three of the biggest title-holders in the short sprint and their participation in the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Florence on 2 June has heightened excitement among fans.
Kerley and Jacobs have previously raced twice, in Monaco and Tokyo in 2021, with Jacobs emerging victorious on both occasions. However, Kerley has improved in the 100 meters and has started his 2023 campaign with three international circuit victories. Both athletes have been talking up their chances in a sprint showdown on social media and in recent interviews. – Read more: Fred Kerley wins 400m at Sydney Track Classic 2023; Zoe Hobbs runs 10.97secs
Kerley will be aiming for another victory at the Golden Gala, having won the 100 meters in 2022 and the 400 meters in 2018. In Rome last year, the American sprinter won the 100 meters by a significant margin in 9.92 before setting a personal best of 9.76 at the US Championships and winning the world title in Oregon.
Jacobs, on the other hand, won the Olympic title in Tokyo in 2021, setting a European record of 9.80, before adding two more major titles in 2022. He claimed world indoor 60 meters gold in a European record of 6.41 and then European 100 meters gold in Munich.
Bromell, who has an identical 9.76 personal best to Kerley, is the 2016 world indoor 60 meters champion. After claiming world bronze in Oregon last year, he won the 100 meters at the Diamond League Final in Zurich.
Italy’s Samuele Ceccarelli, who beat Jacobs to the European indoor 60 meters title earlier this year, will also be competing in the event.
