Interview Hughes now one of big fish rather than sprinting ‘sprat’
➤ Briton was once a youngster intimidated by training with Bolt but now has sights set on creating own Olympics history
Zharnel Hughes is recalling the first time that he walked into Usain Bolt’s training group as a wide-eyed 16-year-old. “I felt like a sprat in the ocean,” he laughs.
Hughes was talented enough to earn a scholarship to leave his native Anguilla and move to a regional athletics hub in Jamaica. But no amount of talent could prepare him for being thrown in with the sharks of the athletics world.
As well as Bolt, there was Yohan Blake, the second-fastest 200metre runner ever, and Warren Weir, an Olympic and world 200m medallist. Three “giants of the sport”, recalls Hughes.
“Those guys had been there and done it. They were world-record holders, world champions, Olympic medallists. You name it, they all had it. Me coming there at 16 years old and having to fit in, it was a bit scary and intimidating. But at the same time, it was inspiring because here I was working amongst the greatest in the world. I just watched how they work and tried to learn as much as I could from them. I asked a lot of questions, admired their work ethic and tried to emulate them.”
There is good reason for revisiting those early days of Hughes’s athletics career. Now that the superstars have gone he is the shark, and he wants to start winning the medals worthy of his top-dog status.
“Yes, I am the main man,” says the 26-year-old with a laugh. “I see myself as one of the leaders. The youngsters can easily be distracted so I have to be the one to set the example. It’s no longer high school, you have to really want it.
“Usain was definitely an inspiration to me when I came. He used to speak to me, so I try to communicate with the younger guys as much as possible. Even though I’m still young, I’m the senior in the club.”
Tokyo has been a long time coming for Hughes. It is only because of the Olympics that he will pull on a British vest for the 100m this weekend. Born in Anguilla, he represented the Caribbean island until 2015, when he switched allegiance to Britain. He had little choice. With Anguilla not recognised by the International Olympic Committee, its sportspeople can take advantage
of its status as a British Overseas Territory and represent Britain or forgo competing at the Olympics.
The switch was intended for Rio, but injury ruled him out. Now, five years on, he has become the secondfastest British 100m runner in history – with a personal best of 9.91sec – and is finally ready to make his mark on the biggest stage.
His stated target is Linford Christie’s 9.87sec British record. Improve on that and a medal would be a distinct possibility.
“I’m very excited,” he says. “I’m looking forward to going out there and putting on a GB vest. It’s been a dream of mine and it’s finally coming true. I won’t be happy with anything less than making the final. If things don’t work out for me to get to the final it would be devastating.
“I’ve had some injuries and it always hampered me just before the major championships. Everything is calm for me right now, I’m in a much better place.”
With Bolt no longer competing and Christian Coleman banned the men’s 100m is more wide open than for some time.
That, according to many, is indicative of the sport’s blue riband event losing some of its lustre, with Bolt admitting he is more excited by the women’s 100m. Hughes agrees.
“I love to see how the women are performing,” he says. “They are showing the world how strong they are. Honestly, I’m looking forward to the women’s performances more than the men because it’s so competitive and the times are dropping every week. It’s going to be hot.”