ANGUILLA—Zharnel Hughes has broken Linford Christie’s British men’s 100m record, which has stood for 30 years, by clocking 9.83 seconds at the New York, Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Anguillian athlete took 0.04 secs off the previous mark of 9.87, which Christie set at the World Championships in 1993.
Hughes' new record is the fastest time in the world this year, and the second fastest ever by a European athlete. Hughes, who won European 200m gold and 100m silver last year, beat Jamaica's Ackeem Blake (9.93) to clinch victory. On breaking Christie's record, Hughes said: "I always give respect to Linford. He always supports me every time I'm in the UK, and sometimes he helps out with my training sessions." Saturday's race also featured the United States' 2019 world 100m champion Christian Coleman, who finished third in 10.02. Coached by Glenn Mills, who helped Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt win his eight Olympic medals, Hughes powered away from the field in impressive fashion over the final 50m. This win is reportedly a confidence boost for the World Championships in Budapest in two months’ time. Before Saturday's race, his personal best had been 9.91, which he set in 2018.
