Christian Coleman was once the undisputed king of the sprints, a man who shattered records and left legends in his wake. His 2018 world indoor 60m record (6.34 seconds) remains untouched, and his 2019 World Championships 100m gold (9.76 seconds) announced him as the heir to Usain Bolt’s throne.
Yet, as the 2025 season unfolds, something is amiss. The speedster who once dominated the track is now struggling to keep pace, and his latest performance at the Xiamen Diamond League has raised serious concerns—prompting a blunt warning from a prominent track and field coach.
A Disappointing Diamond League Outing
The Xiamen Diamond League was supposed to be Coleman’s chance to reassert himself in a field missing marquee names like Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Kishane Thompson. Instead, the two-time defending champion faltered, finishing a distant fourth in 10.18 seconds—far behind South Africa’s Akani Simbine, who cruised to victory in 9.99 seconds. For a sprinter of Coleman’s pedigree, failing to crack the top three in a race without his biggest rivals is a troubling sign.
Coach Rob, a respected voice in track and field analysis, didn’t mince words in his post-race breakdown.
“When the gun went off, the race went according to plan for Akani Simbine, who validated his world-leading time,” he noted on his YouTube Channel.
“But for Christian Coleman? He didn’t just lose, he slid all the way down to fourth. That’s not where a defending champion should be.”
A Pattern of Decline?
Coleman’s struggles aren’t isolated. Earlier this season, he clocked a sluggish 10.06 seconds at the Tom Jones Memorial, good enough only for fourth place. At the Pepsi Florida Relays, he was part of a U.S. 4x100m team that finished behind Canada, a rarity for American sprint dominance. These performances follow a disastrous 2024 campaign where Coleman failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics in either the 100m or 200m, finishing fourth in both events at the U.S. Trials.
Coach Rob pointed out the harsh reality.
“Last year, he missed the Olympics because Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Kenny Bednarek were simply better. But if we’re being honest, even if he had made it, his current form suggests he wouldn’t have been competitive in the finals.”
What’s Gone Wrong?
The bigger question is why Coleman, still only 29, has lost his edge. Some speculate that his 2020 missed drug tests—which led to an 18-month suspension—disrupted his momentum. Others wonder if injuries or training changes have played a role.
Coach Rob, however, believes the issue may be psychological.
“When you’re used to being the star, and suddenly you’re getting left behind, it messes with your confidence,” he explained.
“Coleman used to blast out of the blocks and never look back. Now, if he doesn’t get that early lead, he fades. That’s not the same guy we saw in 2019.”
Can Coleman Bounce Back?
History shows that great sprinters can rebound—Justin Gatlin won world titles in his 30s, and Linford Christie took Olympic gold at 32. But time is not on Coleman’s side. With the 2025 World Championships approaching, he needs a drastic turnaround to reclaim his place among the elite.
Coach Rob’s final words were a mix of critique and caution.
“Christian Coleman has the talent. But talent alone doesn’t win races. If he doesn’t fix whatever’s holding him back, whether it’s technique, conditioning, or mindset, he risks becoming an afterthought in a sport that’s moving faster without him.”
For now, the track world watches and waits. Will Christian Coleman rediscover his championship form, or is this the beginning of an unceremonious decline? Only the next race will tell.
