Zharnel Hughes says 'loose mouth' Noah Lyles only fuels his desire for Olympic success
Published 17/07/2024 at 20:07 GMT+1
Sprint rivals Zharnel Hughes and Noah Lyles will meet again at the London Athletics Meet and their battle has been further fuelled by Lyles' words about Hughes at the event last year, which have resurfaced in new Netflix series, Sprint. Hughes says the incident left him seeing "red" but that he is only more motivated than ever to beat the American on the track.
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Zharnel Hughes says Noah Lyles’ “loose mouth” only fuels his “burning desire” to beat his sprint rival and take gold at the Olympic Games.
The British athlete has admitted comments from Lyles in Netflix series Sprint “raised all the red” in him.
In a clip from the programme, filmed before last year’s London Diamond League, Lyles is asked what it would take for him to win the 200m at the event.
The American replied: “Whatever I run”.
When Hughes responds to say he is “ready as well”, Lyles bites back with: “If you don’t have main character energy, track and field isn’t for you.”
Hughes did not realise what was said at the time, but when he watched it back on Sprint it hit home and the Anguillula-born athlete was left furious.
“Obviously me being a competitor it raised all the red in me.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 23: Left to Right: Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, Zharnel Hughes of Team Great Britain, Noah Lyles of Team United States and Alexander Ogando of Dominican Republic compete in the men's 400m during the London Athletics Meet, part of the 2023 Diamond League series at London Stadium on July 23, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Sam Mellish/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
“I was like: ‘This guy, he just needs to shut up.’ My girlfriend is the one who keeps me calm. She is like, ‘Babe, don’t get flared up, don’t let it get into your head. He’s saying these things so you guys can be thrown off psychologically’” he said.
Lyles won the race in question, with Hughes finishing third behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo.
The pair will meet again in the 100m on Saturday, one year on in London and Hughes wants to take his revenge.
“So, for me, I use that burning desire, that red in me as an athlete, and I try to put it out on the track.
“He just has a loose mouth, he just likes to talk. I guess that’s how he gets his confidence, so I can’t blame him. But I’m prepared. I’ll see him in London. We’ll meet there and have a talk,” he said.
Hughes has been out of action due to a hamstring tear which ruled him out of the European championships in June and impacted several weeks on his training plan.
However, he is adamant he is back to where he needs to be to compete with the best.
“I’m back in training, hitting v max times, doing time trials and stuff to make sure we’re on target.
“Coach is excited, I’m excited, I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do,” he said.
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