Anguillian fast-runner, Zharnel Hughes, has recorded another feat which has made the people of the island proud of him.
The 18-year-old sprinter, now in school in Jamaica, made headlines last weekend when he won the 100m race at the Jamaican Inter-Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Athletic Champions. He beat the record of 10.21 seconds previously held by Jamaican Sprinter Yohan Blake. Hughes, the Anguillian athlete, set a new record of 10.12 seconds.
The BBC sport reporter, Graham Fraser, stated on Monday, April 1, that Zharnel Hughes “who trains with Usain Bolt, could be one of the stars for Britain at the Olympic Games in the next few years.”
Fraser’s article continued: “Anguillians can compete at the Commonwealth Games and World Champions but, as a British Overseas Territory, athletes from the island are unable to enter the Olympics as Anguilla is not recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
“If Hughes wants to perform on the biggest stage of all, he may choose to follow in the footsteps of Shara Proctor – the British record long jumper – who decided to transfer her allegiance from Anguilla to Team GB in 2010.
“The prospect of representing Britain is certainly on Hughes’ mind as he prepares to compete in the 200m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”
The BBC reporter quoted Zharnel as saying: “It is something I always think about. I think that (competing for Great Britain) would be the best choice.”
