Zharnel Hughes Shatters UK Record with World-Leading 9.83 in New York Athletics Grand Prix

Briton Zharnel Hughes made headlines on Saturday at the New York Athletics Grand Prix with a sensational performance in the 100 meters. Hughes achieved the best performance in the world this season, clocking an impressive time of 9.83 seconds. Not only did he set the new world-leading time, but he also erased the old record in the United Kingdom held by Linford Christie since 1993.

In the mixed zone after the race, Hughes revealed that his incredible time of 9.83 seconds was like a dream come true. He had actually written that exact time down earlier in the day, and he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw it on the screen at the Icahn Stadium. With a favorable wind of 1.3 m/second, the 27-year-old sprinter surpassed his previous personal best of 9.91 seconds set in 2018. This performance not only established a new UK record but also became the second-best time in history for a European runner in the 100 meters, behind Italian Marcell Jacobs’ 9.80 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Hughes, a double European champion in the 100 meters and 4×100 meters in 2018, showcased a great finish to beat Jamaican Ackeem Blake (9.93) and American Christian Coleman (10.02) in the race. This victory suddenly positions Hughes as a strong contender for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled for August 19-27. With no clear favorite in the queen distance, Hughes has emerged as a title contender.

In another impressive performance, American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continued her dominance in the 400m hurdles and explored the 400m flat with a victory and a convincing time of 49.51 seconds. This time was even better than her performance in Paris two weeks ago (49.71 seconds). The 23-year-old American, a double Olympic champion in 2021 and world champion in 2022 over hurdles, now sets her sights on beating the legendary German sprinter Marita Koch’s lap record of 47.60 seconds set in 1985.

McLaughlin-Levrone admitted that the flat race is harder in her opinion, as it is challenging to determine the pedaling cadence halfway through the race. However, she remains confident in her progress and believes that beating Koch’s record is within her capabilities.

In other notable performances, American 800-meter prodigy Athing Mu made a winning comeback after not running since her victory at the 2022 Worlds. Mu won her favorite race in 1 minute and 58.73 seconds. Noah Lyles, a public favorite, put on a show before the race and won comfortably in the 200 meters with a time of 19.83 seconds.

The American Keni Harrison, the second-fastest woman in the history of the 100 meters hurdles, achieved a time of 12.29 seconds, although it was wind-assisted (+2.8m/sec). In the men’s 110-meter hurdles, American Daniel Roberts won with a time of 13.01 seconds, his best performance this season, ahead of his compatriot Devon Allen (13.04 seconds).

Overall, the New York Athletics Grand Prix showcased some outstanding performances, with Hughes stealing the spotlight with his record-breaking run. The athletes are now gearing up for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, where they will aim to continue their impressive form and secure more victories on the global stage.

How did Zharnel Hughes surpass his previous personal best in the 100-meter race at the New York Athletics Grand Prix?

British sprinter Zharnel Hughes made waves at the New York Athletics Grand Prix over the weekend, delivering an outstanding performance in the 100-meter race. Hughes not only achieved the fastest time in the world this season, clocking an impressive 9.83 seconds, but he also broke the longstanding United Kingdom record set by Linford Christie in 1993.

In a post-race interview, Hughes revealed that his remarkable time of 9.83 seconds was a dream come true. In fact, he had written down that exact time earlier in the day, and he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw it on the screen at the Icahn Stadium. With a favorable wind of 1.3 m/second, the 27-year-old sprinter surpassed his previous personal best of 9.91 seconds, which he achieved in 2018. This exceptional performance not only secured a new UK record but also ranks as the second-best time in history for a European runner in the 100 meters, only behind Italian Marcell Jacobs’ 9.80 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Hughes, who holds the title of double European champion in both the 100 meters and 4×100 meters from 2018, displayed a remarkable finish to defeat Jamaican athlete Ackeem Blake (9.93) and American sprinter Christian Coleman (10.02) in the race. This victory has suddenly catapulted Hughes into the position of a strong contender for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, which are scheduled to take place from August 19 to 27.