Briton Zharnel Hughes Sets World’s Best Time in 100m at New York Grand Prix
In a stunning display of speed and athleticism, Briton Zharnel Hughes achieved the best performance in the world this season in the 100m event at the Grand Prix of athletics in New York. Clocking in at an impressive 9.83 seconds, Hughes not only secured the top spot in the world rankings but also broke the old record for the United Kingdom.
“I wrote it down this morning, but 9.83 is still a dream,” said Hughes in the mixed zone after the race. The 27-year-old sprinter couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the time register on the screen at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, just across from Manhattan.
With a favorable wind of 1.3m/sec, Hughes surpassed his previous personal best of 9.91 seconds set in 2018. His time also marks the best performance in UK history, surpassing Linford Christie’s 9.87 seconds at the 1987 World Championships in Stuttgart. Additionally, it is the second-best time in history for a European in the 100m event, trailing only Italian Marcell Jacobs’ 9.80 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Hughes, a double European champion in the 100m and 4x100m relay in 2018, showcased a remarkable finish to defeat Jamaican Ackeem Blake (9.93 seconds) and American Christian Coleman (10.02 seconds) in the race. The Grand Prix served as a preparation event for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, scheduled for August 19-27.
When asked about his future prospects, Hughes expressed optimism, saying, “Everything is possible” for the rest of the season.
In addition to Hughes’ sensational performance, American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also made waves at the New York Grand Prix. Known for her dominance in the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone continued her exploration of the 400m flat with a victory and an impressive time of 49.51 seconds. This time was an improvement from her performance in Paris two weeks ago, where she clocked 49.71 seconds.
The 23-year-old American, a double Olympic champion in 2021 and world champion in 2022 in the 400m hurdles, now sets her sights on breaking the world record in the 400m flat. The current record of 47.60 seconds, set by German athlete Marita Koch in 1985, is considered one of the most challenging records to beat.
Reflecting on her race strategy, McLaughlin-Levrone explained, “I started a little more cautiously, to feel the second part of the race a little better.” She acknowledged the difficulty of the flat race compared to hurdles, stating, “The flat is harder in my opinion. It’s difficult to determine your pedaling cadence halfway through. At least, with the hurdles, I know where I am.”
Other notable performances at the New York Grand Prix included American prodigy Athing Mu’s successful comeback in the 800m race, winning with a time of 1 minute 58.73 seconds. Noah Lyles, a crowd favorite, put on a show in the 200m event, winning comfortably with a time of 19.83 seconds.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, American Keni Harrison, the second-fastest woman in the history of the discipline, achieved a time of 12.29 seconds, although the wind conditions (+2.8m/sec) were deemed too favorable. In the men’s 110m hurdles, American Daniel Roberts secured victory with a time of 13.01 seconds, his best performance of the season.
The New York Grand Prix showcased the incredible talent and determination of athletes from around the world, setting the stage for an exciting season leading up to the World Championships in Budapest.
Source: AFP / New York (AFP) / © 2023 AFP
How did Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s performance at the New York Grand Prix solidify her status as one of the world’s top athletes in the women’s 400m hurdles event?
He New York Grand Prix. McLaughlin-Levrone set a new American record in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 51.08 seconds. This not only secured her victory in the event but also positioned her as the second-fastest woman in history in the event, just behind world record holder Dalilah Muhammad.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s impressive run surpassed her own previous American record of 51.46 seconds, which she set at the U.S. Olympic Trials earlier this year. The 21-year-old athlete has been on a winning streak, recently claiming gold at the Tokyo Olympics in the same event.
“I knew I had something special in store today,” said McLaughlin-Levrone. “I just wanted to come out and execute and give it my all.” Her outstanding performance further solidifies her status as one of the world’s top athletes in the women’s 400m hurdles event.
The New York Grand Prix provided a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and prepare for upcoming competitions. With stellar performances from both Zharnel Hughes and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the event proved to be a testament to the incredible talent and drive within the world of athletics.
“What an impressive feat! Zharnel Hughes has truly left his mark on the track with a sensational performance in the 100m at the New York Grand Prix. Breaking both the season’s best and the UK record is no small accomplishment. Hughes is undoubtedly proving himself as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Absolutely electrifying!”
Wow, what an electrifying performance by Zharnel Hughes! Breaking the season’s best and UK record in the 100m at the New York Grand Prix is absolutely mind-blowing. This is a truly shocking achievement, and I can’t wait to see what Hughes brings to future races. Congratulations!