American sprint star Fred Kerley returned to competition at the 2025 Rabat Diamond League on May 25 but struggled to reclaim his top form. He finished third in both the 100m and 200m races, falling short of expectations after a challenging season marked by a suspension tied to a battery charge—an incident Kerley calls a “misunderstanding.”
In the 100m, Fred Kerley ran 10.07 seconds but lost to South Africa’s Akani Simbine (9.95s) and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (10.05s). In the 200m, he clocked 20.16 seconds, trailing behind winner Courtney Lindsey (20.04s) and Joseph Fahnbulleh (20.12s).
Fred Kerley Recent Setbacks
At the 2025 Rabat Diamond League, Fred Kerley struggles with sluggish starts and finishes third in both the 100m and 200m events. He posts a 10.07-second time in the 100m, falling behind Akani Simbine’s 9.95 and Ferdinand Omanyala’s 10.05. In 200m, he clocked 20.16 seconds, trailing the leaders.
Off the track, Kerley faces legal trouble. On May 1, 2025, police arrested him at a hotel in Dania Beach, Florida. His ex-girlfriend, fellow U.S. track athlete Alaysha Johnson, accuses Fred Kerley of punching her in the face during an altercation. Causing her nose to bleed.
Officers document her injuries and accept her sworn statement along with photographic evidence. Authorities charge Kerley with misdemeanour battery and book him into Broward County Main Jail. Fred Kerley later posts a $1,000 bond and receives a court order to stay away from Johnson.
However, Kerley pleads not guilty and contests the charge in court. His attorney, Richard L. Cooper, claims the allegations lack merit and states that Fred Kerley defended himself during an unprovoked attack. Kerley’s legal team files documents asserting his innocence and requests a trial. As the court case unfolds, Kerley continues to train and prepare for upcoming races, determined to overcome both athletic and personal setbacks.
Despite showing resilience by securing podium finishes, Kerley’s inability to win against a strong field raises concerns about his readiness for the Tokyo World Championships. The Rabat meet exposed the hurdles he must overcome to return to peak performance.
