Paris 2024 Olympics: Who is Zharnel Hughes? PB, gold medal chances, form ahead of Games for Team GB star
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Published 03/08/2024 at 12:14 GMT+1
Anguilla-born British sprinter Zharnel Hughes, who holds the British record for the 100m and 200m with times of 9.83s and 19.73s, respectively, is looking to "rewrite the history books" at this year's Summer Games. One of Team GB's gold medal hopes, he became the first British man in 30 years to win a medal over the distance at the 2023 World Championships and gears up for the 100m semi-final.
‘I am on cloud nine right now’ - Hughes thrilled with bronze medal in 100m
Video credit: TNT Sports
Zharnel Hughes, the British record holder for the 100m and 200m sprints, is striving for a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Ahead of Paris 2024, he became the first Team GB athlete to earn a medal in the 100m in 30 years at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and now ranks 11th in the world, a spot ahead of Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs.
Hughes recovered from a slow start in his 100m heat on Saturday, August 3, to finish third with 10.03 behind Botswana's Letsile Tebogo and USA's Fred Kerley.
The Team GB sprinter will need an improved performance in Sunday's semi-finals to have a chance to fight for gold.
Netflix documentary 'Sprint' shed light on the life of Hughes and gave insight into his bitter rivalry with USA's Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion in the 100m and 200m sprint events.
Hughes has a reason to prove himself on the track against Lyles. The last time Hughes faced Lyles at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, he missed out on the chance to compete after being disqualified for a false start.
He told the BBC: "I would love to rewrite the history books after what happened in Tokyo," referring to his false start in the Olympic final at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Since the Tokyo Games, Hughes went on to break Linford Christie's British record at the NYC Grand Prix in 2023. Linford Christie was Britain's last 100m sprinter to win gold at the Olympics.
Hughes' current form
At the start of the year, Hughes looked to be coming into some good form after racing the 100m in Jamaica, clocking a time of 10.09s.
However, after being hampered by a hamstring tear, he had to withdraw from the European Championships, where he won gold in both the 100m and 200m in 2022.
Despite a rocky few months, Hughes has more recently looked in good form. However, at the London Diamond League on July 20, his time of 10 seconds flat was only good enough for sixth spot.
- Asher-Smith, Hodgkinson and Kerr lead star-studded Team GB athletics squad
- Lyles credits Olympic bronze with success at World Championships
- Hinchcliffe becomes first European to win men’s 100m at NCAA Championships
Chances to win gold in paris
In addition to the 100m, another opportunity for Hughes to win gold at Paris 2024 would be in the 4x100m relay.
There, he will be joined by fellow British sprint stars Jeremiah Azu and Louie Hinchliffe, who both have PBs under 10s.
Hinchliffe won his heat on Saturday, August 3, beating event favourite Lyles with a time of 9.98.
It is no doubt that the British record holder is touted as one of the nation's most promising hopes for a medal this summer. Last year, Usain Bolt, predicted that Hughes will win gold at the Summer Games, after he lowered the British record to 9.83s at the NYC Grand Prix.
Bolt told the BBC: "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."
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discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
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