British record holder over 100m and 200m became a father in the winter and believes new mindset leaves him in a good position to finally land World Championship medal in Tokyo this year
Zharnel Hughes is determined to change the nearly man narrative with Britain’s fastest sprinter hoping new dad strength can propel him to the global medal he badly craves.
The 100m and 200m national record holder last year saw his Paris Olympic dreams shattered by a hamstring injury. But having welcomed a baby boy in mid-winter, Hughes, 29, says he is now looking at life differently as he sets his sights on making up for past disappointments at September’s World Championships in Tokyo.
When Japan’s capital hosted the Games four years ago, he false started in the 100m final and then had a relay silver stripped away after team-mate CJ Ujah was caught doping.
But with Hughes’ body “feeling nice and strong” and several solid races already under his belt in Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam series, he is in a good place early in an unusually long season.
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And the prospect of stepping on to the same track that brought the lowest moment of his career brings no sense of fear.
“It would be amazing to rewrite history,” he says. “I’ve moved on from (Tokyo), it’s long gone now but I’m looking forward to getting out there to compete.”
Hughes is keen on manifestation and keeps a daily journal that charts every high and low but rather than the woes of old weigh heavily on his shoulders, his experience is becoming one of his strongest assets.
Already this season there have been a couple of races where he has noticed technical issues when transitioning out of the blocks but did not panic and finished strongly.
Hughes laughingly says he “I don’t want to think about” turning 30 next month but he has acquired a newfound wisdom.
“I’ve changed as an athlete,” Hughes says. “It was always my job but now I know I need to take care of my son.
“I look over at him every day, hear him laugh, and I feel it’s changed my mindset. Nothing else matters to me. As long as I’m making him happy and providing for him and the family is good, I’m happy.”
He knows setting off soon for a summer tour across Europe before heading to Asia in early autumn will be difficult and they are already practicing FaceTime routines.
“It won’t be easy but it has to be done,” he adds, and if he can bring that medal back home it will all prove worthwhile.
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