Britain’s Fastest Man Zharnel Hughes Holds Back Tears as He Celebrates His 100m Title After Missing His Aunt’s Funeral to Win the British Title
In the electrifying atmosphere of Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, Zharnel Hughes crossed the finish line in a blistering 9.94 seconds, reclaiming his crown as Britain’s fastest man in the 100m at the 2025 Novuna British Athletics Championships. But as the cheers erupted and the Union Jack fluttered in recognition of his triumph, the 30-year-old sprinter’s eyes welled up with unshed tears. This wasn’t just a victory over rivals Jeremiah Azu and defending champion Louie Hinchliffe; it was a deeply personal conquest, forged in the fires of grief and unbreakable resolve. Hughes had made the heart-wrenching decision to skip his aunt Iola’s funeral in their family homeland of Anguilla, choosing instead to honor her memory on the track where dreams are chased at the speed of sound.
The men’s 100m final on August 2 was a spectacle of raw athleticism and drama. Hughes, born and raised in the Caribbean paradise of Anguilla before forging his path in Great Britain, exploded from the blocks with his signature power. Though he admitted to a sluggish start that had his heart pounding, he summoned a thunderous surge in the final 30 meters, pulling away decisively to edge out Azu by a mere 0.02 seconds. Hinchliffe, the 2024 champion, faded to third in 10.02, while the field showcased the depth of British sprinting talent. For Hughes, however, the stopwatch mattered less than the symbolism. As he clutched the national flag around his shoulders, his voice cracked during the post-race interview, revealing the emotional undercurrent that had propelled him forward.
“My auntie is getting buried right now. Her funeral is going on and I’m missing out,” Hughes shared, his words hanging heavy in the humid Birmingham air. “I was very close with her, so today was a bit of a mental strength game for me. I had to keep suppressing inside, and I couldn’t speak to my family because I would get emotional. Jeremiah was trying to console me because I almost started crying. This win was for her.” The revelation stunned the crowd and commentators alike, transforming what could have been a routine title defense into a poignant testament to sacrifice. Iola, a beloved figure in the Hughes family, had passed away just days before the championships, leaving a void that her nephew filled with sheer willpower. Friends and family back in Anguilla tuned in via live stream, their prayers mingling with the roar of the stadium as Hughes dedicated every stride to her enduring spirit.
Hughes’ journey to this moment is one of resilience, marked by triumphs and setbacks that have sculpted him into a global force. The Anguilla native burst onto the scene as a junior prodigy, shattering records and earning Commonwealth Games gold in 2014. His move to Loughborough to train under the legendary Chris Maynard elevated him to elite status, culminating in a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest—the first for a British man in the 100m since Linford Christie. Yet, adversity has been a constant companion. A hamstring injury derailed his Paris 2024 Olympic dreams, forcing him to withdraw mid-race and watch from the sidelines as Noah Lyles claimed gold. False starts and niggling issues have tested his mettle, but Hughes has always rebounded, embodying the grit that defines British athletics.
This year’s championships, serving as trials for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo next month, amplified the stakes. As a reigning world medallist, Hughes was already guaranteed a spot on the Team GB roster, but the title carried deeper weight. It reaffirmed his supremacy in a field brimming with hungry challengers like the 22-year-old Hinchliffe, whose meteoric rise has sparked talk of a new sprinting era. Azu, the world indoor 60m champion, posed a real threat, his explosive starts mirroring Hughes’ own strengths. In the end, Hughes’ experience prevailed, his 9.94 not only securing the win but also signaling he’s peaking at the perfect time. “I know she would have loved to see this,” he added softly, glancing skyward. “I dedicate this to my family and everyone back home in Anguilla.”
The emotional toll of the day lingered into the next, but Hughes channeled it into even greater glory. On August 3, he doubled up with a stunning 200m victory, shattering the championship record with a 19.90-second clocking. Powering around the curve with effortless grace, he held off a charging field to claim his fifth British outdoor title overall. Dina Asher-Smith mirrored the feat in the women’s 200m, edging Amy Hunt in a photo-finish thriller at 22.14 seconds, underscoring the championships’ theme of redemption and record-breaking. Molly Caudery dazzled in pole vault, and Scott Lincoln notched his 20th national shot put crown, but it was Hughes who captured hearts beyond the headlines.
As the dust settles on Birmingham, Hughes turns his gaze to Tokyo, where redemption awaits. The Worlds offer a chance to eclipse his 2023 bronze, perhaps even challenging the podium’s top step against the likes of Lyles and Italy’s Marcell Jacobs. His coach envisions a sharper, more refined athlete, honed by the fires of personal loss. Off the track, Hughes has grown into fatherhood since welcoming his first child earlier this year, adding layers of motivation to his already formidable drive. “Yesterday was cool, but I wanted the 200m more,” he reflected post-double. “My coach will get me sharper for Tokyo. Let’s go!”
In an era where sprinting demands not just speed but soul, Zharnel Hughes stands as a beacon. His tear-streaked celebration wasn’t of defeat, but of a love so profound it bridged oceans and outran sorrow. As Britain’s fastest man, he reminds us that true victory is measured not in meters, but in the quiet strength to run when the heart aches most. For aunt Iola, and for all who mourn with grace, Hughes’ gold gleams eternal.
