GB’s Zharnel Hughes forward of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo: “I’m filled with determination and I’m quite confident in my ability that I can always catch you at the very end. I’m trusting myself and trusting my speed” – Hughes to run in 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in Japan
Final Up to date: 12/09/25 1:37pm
Zharnel Hughes is assured he can medal on the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
Nice Britain’s Zharnel Hughes believes international sprinting is in good well being post-Usain Bolt as he goals for the rostrum on the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Hughes, 30, will run within the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in Japan, two years on from claiming bronze within the 100m throughout the earlier World Championships in Budapest.
The quickest time this 12 months is the 9.75 seconds set by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson with USA’s Kenny Bednarek additionally dipping beneath 9.8s.
Hughes, whose season excessive is 9.91s, says there’s not a lot to separate the world’s finest and thinks medals will likely be decided by who stays “mentally composed.”
“I think sprinting has been able to pick itself back up, in a sense, ever since Bolt left. I definitely think it’s in a good spot,” the Brit instructed Sky Sports activities. “The occasions have been ok
Usain Bolt’s 100m world report is 9.58 seconds, set in 2009
“We have been hitting the 9.7s, the 9.8s. Clearly, Bolt and people guys have gone in a distinct stratosphere the place you are working 9.5s – Yohan Blake, Tyson Homosexual and people guys working 9.6s.
“But I do think it’s possible we can get there. The competition is definitely there. And in terms of rivalry, I believe we are within the same striking distance of each other.
“It’s extremely shut. It is only a matter of who’s extra mentally composed in the case of the finals.”
On the strength of British sprinting, Hughes – who will be joined in the 100m by Romell Glave and Jeremiaz Azu and in the 200m by Toby Harries – added: “[We have] positively stepped as much as the plate. The blokes at the moment are working sub-10s back-to-back.
“When Linford Christie and those guys were doing it back then, it was like, ‘wow, this is incredible for us’. Now it’s almost like every season, one of us is going to either run 10 seconds or 9.9.
“It is a drive you’ve got most likely seen so typically now. We have seen different nations performing effectively and we need to be part of that blend.”
I prefer the 200m, to be honest with you. It’s the first event I started out with. The 100m, I like it, but it’s a bit technical. There’s literally zero space for errors and you have to be quite dialled in. You have to be very precise with every step you take, the body positions.
British sprinter Zharnel Hughes
‘I’m confident I can always catch you at the very end’
Hughes was unable to land an individual medal at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, eliminated in the 100m semi-finals before withdrawing from the 200m ahead of the heats due to a tight hamstring.
He is feeling optimistic ahead of Tokyo, though, adding: “I am not placing any strain on myself or expectations, however I simply need to get by means of the rounds, most significantly. It is simple to get forward of your self, and I am attempting not to do this.
“I’m not fixed on times, I’m mostly fixed on getting through the rounds and getting on the podium, which is the most important bit.
“I am full of willpower and I am fairly assured in my potential that I can all the time catch you on the very finish. I am trusting myself and trusting my velocity.
Hughes took bronze within the 100m on the 2023 World Championships in Budapest
“The work that I’ve put in leading up to this championship has been tremendous. It’s going to be great.
“I’ve all the time been one to be reckoned with in the case of the championships. I’ve all the time been in a position to place myself into the finals at each main championship
“Unfortunately, last year it didn’t get to happen due to injury but I’m feeling confident.”
On the British relay squad’s hopes of including a World Championship medal to their Olympic bronze in 2024, Hughes mentioned: “I just hope we keep our heads focused and do not watch any teams that probably have ran faster than us throughout the season.
“Bear in mind who we’re and the lion inside us will all the time roar. I consider that we will all the time be on that podium as soon as we commit.”
