Hughes pips Blake again, breaks British record at NYC Grand Prix
Published:Sunday | June 25, 2023 | 1:49 AM
WHILE JAMAICANS enjoyed a good showing at yesterday’s New York Grand Prix, it was the men’s 100 metres that provided the highlight, with a new world lead set by Britian’s Zharnel Hughes, who got the better of sprinter Ackeem Blake for the second time in as many weeks.
Hughes stormed the field in a blistering 9.83 seconds to win the event ahead of Blake, who was second in 9.93. Former World Champion Christian Coleman was third in 10.02.
Hughes, who trains in Jamaica with Racer’s Track Club, also carved out a piece of history for himself in the process, becoming the fastest British man ever, breaking former Olympic and World Champion Linford Christie’s national mark of 9.87. Christie had set the mark at the 1993 World Athletics Championships.
Hughes defeated Blake last week at the JAAA Quest for Budapest series in Kingston in 10.00 seconds and said after the race that the key to his breakthrough performance was patience in his technique.
“Patience, patience. That is what I have been told. Go through the paces. Don’t get carried away by anyone. Just relax and trust yourself and you will be good,” said Hughes.
“In 2015 when I came here I ran against Usain Bolt and it was memorable. I wanted to come back here in a different event and prove to myself and to the world that I am here.”
CAPACITY TO GET STRONGER
Hughes is now the second-fastest European in history, with only Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs (9.80) running quicker. Hughes alluded to the fact that he has the capacity to get stronger as well and said that it was the performance that he envisioned.
“I wrote this down in my book this morning. I am going to run 9.83 or 9.89, with 9.91 being the slowest,” Hughes said.
“Anything is possible and the great thing is, we haven’t started speed work yet. This is just raw speed endurance and my coach (Glen Milles) is going to be elated.”
Former 100-metre hurdles World champion Danielle Williams finished third in her pet event, clocking a wind-aided 12.33 seconds. Kendra Harrison won the race in 12.29 with Alaysha Johnson finishing second with 12.30. Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper was fifth in 12.68.
Olympic relay gold medallist Briana Williams finished second in the women’s 100, clocking a season’s best 11.04 behind Aleia Hobbs, who won in 10.98. Another Jamaican, Ashanti Moore, was sixth in 11.14.
Charokee Young was the highest placed Jamaican in the women’s 400m, finishing third in 51.02. Olympic and world 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the race in a personal best 49.51. Jamaica’s Ashley Williams finished seventh in 52.39 and Junelle Bromfield, eighth in 52.97.
Jamaica’s Zandrion Barnes won the men’s 400m in 45.05, finishing ahead of America’s Matthew Boling, 45.58. Barnes’ countryman Karayme Bartley was fourth in 46.60.
Orlando Bennett finished seventh in the men’s 110m hurdles, clocking 13.34 while Damion Thomas was eighth in 13.53.
In the field, 2019 World champion silver medallist Danniel Thomas Dodd finished second in the women’s shot put with 19.38m, while Kimberly Williamson was second in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.83 metres.