Anguilla’s teenage sprinter, Zharnel Hughes, 18, has been highly commended for his recent outstanding performance in which he almost took the championship record from Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s 28-year-old acclaimed sprinter.
The Anguillian competed against Bolt and other runners in the Diamond Meet in New York on Saturday, June 13. The competition was keenly followed in Anguilla. Bolt, a multiple Olympic champion and world record holder, completed the 200 metre sprint in 20.29 seconds to claim the gold medal, ahead of Zharnel who clocked 20.32 seconds.
Zharnel, who is often referred to as “the next Bolt”, specialises in 100 and 200 metre sprints. He won a Bronze Medal in the 2012 Carifta Games in Bermuda and a Gold Medal in the 2013 Carifta Games in The Bahamas. He was awarded a scholarship to attend the International Athletic Federation’s Regional High Performance Training Centre in Jamaica where he is currently based.
Three Anguillian officials, the Hon. Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, the Hon. Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, and the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary, Sports, Mr. Cardigan Connor, praised Zharnel’s performance during a media interview on Tuesday, June 16.
Mr. Banks commented: “Zharnel did exceptionally well and he is a candidate of choice for the Olympics – and we look forward to giving him our continued support. He is a young man and has shown his talent and potential. We hope he remains focused and that we are able to give him the support that he needs to remain focused.”
Mr. Banks, who also praised Anguilla’s long jumper, Shara Proctor, and other outstanding local athletes, added: “We have a team of budding Olympic candidates. Zharnel has a lot of time ahead of him to improve his skills and one day to make Anguillians even prouder.”
Mr. Rogers stated: “On behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla we would like to congratulate Zharnel for a wonderful performance. We are very appreciative that he has been able to move to Jamaica for training and to compete with the likes of Usain Bolt. We are expecting great things from him.”
Mr. Connor joined his colleagues in saying: “Zharnel’s performance was overly impressive in that he could run so closely with Usain Bolt; and the thing about Zharnel is that he is going to get better. He has youth on his side and a commitment to passion.
“I was really proud that when the results were announced the Anguillian flag was up there… I think Zharnel is a role model for a number of Anguillian athletes. The likes of Ras Bucket have built the foundation, but Zharnel is building on that. I think it sends a real positive message to any youngster in Anguilla, and if he or she has the desire, there is a way of getting to that Promised Land.”
