Jarnel Hughes is full of confidence after breaking Linford Christie's 30-year-old British record. Credit: AP/Matthias Schrader
Jarnel Hughes, the UK's new fastest man and world's best 100m runner this year, shares his inspirations from Usain Bolt, GOAT sprinter.
Hughes, coached by Bolt's 73-year-old mentor Glen Mills, caused a shock in athletics on Saturday by destroying a field that was home to 2019 world champion Christian Coleman, who ran 9.83 seconds and also broke Linford Christie's 30-year-old British record.
Bolt himself is still a regular presence in the training group in Jamaica, and Hughes now aims to emulate the legendary eight-time Olympic gold medalist and Christy by competing for World Championship and Olympic medals in the sprint.
“Usain has always been an inspiration,” Hughes said. “He is the fastest man in the world and I am just grateful and happy to be in the same environment that he once was and to be with Coach Mills.
“Usain is someone I have always looked up to. Every time we see each other at the gym, because he goes to the same gym as me, we always bang our fists and ask each other how we're doing. It's just a great privilege to be in the same company as he once was.”
Glenn Mills, photo 2017 , looking after Usain Bolt. Credit & Copyright: Getty Images/Michael Steele
Hughes will return to England for the UK Championship next week and will also run over 200 meters in the Diamond League on 23 July at the London Stadium. what tickets are still available.
The World Championships in Athletics in Budapest will be the highlight of the summer at the end of August, and Hughes, who is also hoping for a medal in the sprint relay after Great Britain lost their Olympic silver in Tokyo due to a doping violation CJ Ujah believes he laid down the marker.
“They've seen what I'm walking with, so they know not to mess with me,” he said. “I'm pretty sure I can run faster than I used to. We haven't started working much on speed yet. I took some time to really focus on the 100m, but I didn't give up on the 200m. For me, the 200m is the best I've ever run.”
The moment @zharnel_hughes became the fastest Brit ever 😍🇷🇧pic.twitter.com/kvAsUt5M1a
– British Athletics (@BritAthletics) June 24, 2023
The world record for the 100m still stands at 9.58 seconds, set by Bolt at the 2009 World Championships, and Hughes believes this is a time that current sprinters can realistically target.< /p>
“My generation can definitely achieve it, but a world record is not something I focus on,” he said. “I know the time when I want to run, but I won’t say, because this must be done first. For me, it's just getting a medal. You just have to be part of the turmoil, and if you can be patient and be the most relaxed person in the field, then anything is possible.”
During a daily regimen that includes a morning workout at the gym Afternoon Hughes finds relaxation using a flight simulator to train and his non-athletics goal is to become a commercial or private pilot.
“That's what makes me happy, that's what helps me relax,” he said . “I would like to fly a Gulfstream 650. It's a great aircraft.”
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