Promising British Sprinter, Zharnel Hughes has signed with the American sports agency, Doyle Management Group as he looks to regain success shown as a junior athlete.
In 2015, at just 19 years old, Hughes, challenged and nearly beat Usain Bolt at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York. He then went on to win a pair of 200m races at Diamond League meets in Lausanne Switzerland and on home soil in London before finishing 5th at the World Championships in Beijing.
Hughes found himself injured for 2016 season but is recovering nicely and can’t wait to take on 2017 stronger than ever. “I’m excited to attack the 2017 season with a vengeance. I had a tough year with injuries in 2016 but I’m healthy again and I’m learning about my body. I’m doing a better job of taking care of myself on and off the track and I am very focused. I am still very young and I know there’s a lot of time ahead for me in this sport, but I am hungry! I had a taste of success in 2015 and I want to build on that this year and put myself on the map at the top of the sport. To win a medal in London in front of the home crowd is what I am working towards and I am confident I can succeed” said Hughes from his Kingston, Jamaica training base.
Paul Doyle, CEO of Doyle Management Group speaks very highly of his newest client. “Every once in a while, a very special athlete emerges and you just know they are destined for greatness. That is certainly the case with Zharnel. I’ve watched countless race videos of Zharnel and he just has a way about him. His stride is effortless. His strength and power is something rarely seen, especially in a 19-year-old kid. In a few years’ time, we could be regarding Zharnel as the greatest sprinter in British history. He has the talent, he has the determination, and he has the maturity and mentality to be successful. I honestly think he could be one of the best sprinters of all-time when all is said and done.”
The 6’3” Anguilla born athlete will open his competition season race this Saturday the 11th of February at the Camperdown Classic in Kingston, Jamaica where he will contest the longer sprint of 400m. Twice the distance of his bread and butter event, the 200m. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the track and competing again. The 400m race will be a good indicator of my fitness and the progress I have made in training.” with a smile Hughes said “Consider me one to watch!”
