Fred Kerley Withdraws From US Track Championships, Misses World Championships

Fred Kerley, the two-time Olympic 100m medalist and 2022 world champion, has withdrawn from the 2025 US Track and Field Championships in Oregon, which also disqualifies him from the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. Kerley announced on social media that he is taking time off to address personal challenges, referring to 2025 as a year with many hurdles. Despite clocking a respectable 9.98 seconds in May, his season has been overshadowed by multiple legal issues, including arrests related to battery, resisting arrest, and domestic violence allegations. Kerley’s absence marks the first time since 2017 that he will miss the World Championships, interrupting a streak of strong performances highlighted by a world record-level 9.76 seconds in 2022. His withdrawal leaves the door open for other top American sprinters to claim spots for the World Championships, as the USATF Championships serve as the qualifying trials. Fans and analysts note that while Kerley showed sharp form earlier this year, off-track controversies have significantly impacted his competitive season.