Paris 2024: Zharnel Hughes’ PB, gold chances, and form

Posted : 03 August 2024

Zharnel Hughes, a British sprinter born in Anguilla and holding the British records for the 100m and 200m sprints with times of 9.83s and 19.73s, is aiming to make a historic impact at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As one of Team GB's leading gold medal contenders, Hughes marked a significant achievement by becoming the first British man in three decades to medal in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships. He is now preparing for the 100m semi-finals, with hopes high for a gold medal performance.

In the lead-up to Paris 2024, Hughes secured his place as a top contender by winning a medal in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, breaking a 30-year drought for Team GB. Currently ranked 11th in the world, Hughes is positioned just ahead of Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs. Despite a challenging start in his 100m heat on August 3, where he finished third with a time of 10.03s behind Letsile Tebogo and Fred Kerley, Hughes will need a strong performance in the semi-finals to vie for gold.

The Netflix documentary "Sprint" has highlighted Hughes' journey and intense rivalry with Noah Lyles from the USA, the reigning world champion in both the 100m and 200m. This rivalry adds a layer of anticipation as Hughes aims to prove himself against Lyles, especially after missing the chance to compete at the Tokyo Olympics due to a false start disqualification.

Hughes expressed his desire to overcome the disappointment of Tokyo, stating, "I would love to rewrite the history books after what happened in Tokyo," in reference to his disqualification from the Olympic final. Since then, Hughes has achieved significant milestones, including breaking Linford Christie's British record at the NYC Grand Prix in 2023. Christie was the last British sprinter to win Olympic gold in the 100m.

Early in the year, Hughes showed promising form with a 100m time of 10.09s in Jamaica. However, a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw from the European Championships, where he had previously excelled. Despite a few setbacks, Hughes recently demonstrated improved form, though his 10-second flat performance at the London Diamond League on July 20 placed him sixth.

At the Paris Olympics, Hughes also has the potential to secure a gold medal in the 4x100m relay. He will be joined by other British sprint stars like Jeremiah Azu and Louie Hinchliffe, both of whom have personal bests under 10 seconds. Hinchliffe’s impressive victory in his heat on August 3, with a time of 9.98s, further bolsters the team's chances.

Usain Bolt, who previously predicted Hughes' success, remains confident in Hughes' potential. Bolt remarked, "I think in the 100m, he does [win gold]. It's just about maintaining that and he should be fine. I think he'll be in the top three if he executes right." With high expectations and solid support, Hughes is poised to be a significant contender for gold at the Summer Games.

Paris 2024: Zharnel Hughes’ PB, gold chances, and form

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