The British sprinter is aiming for a more successful 2025 season after a difficult year as he joins Michael Johnson’s groundbreaking new event.
Jarnell Hughes has registered to compete Grand Slam Path.
The league, which will launch in April 2025, will feature Hughes in all four of its Slam tournaments, marking the start of an exciting year for him and the sport.
The 29-year-old had a remarkable season in 2023, during which he broke two long-standing British records.He clocked 9.83 in the 100m at the New York Grand Prix, beating Linford Christie’s 30-year-old national record by just 0.04 seconds.
A month later, at the Diamond League in London, Hughes further demonstrated his speed by setting a new British 200m record of 19.73, beating the previous mark held by John Regis.
Hughes’ success extended to the World Championships in Budapest, where he earned a bronze medal, adding to his growing list of achievements.
However, 2024 has presented more challenges for the sprinter, with a grade one hamstring tear forcing him out of a historically dominant event in June, securing gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay (twice).
Hughes’ injury also affected his preparations for the Paris Olympics where, despite being fully fit, he reached the semi-finals of the 100 m, although he expected more.
Great Britain 4x100m Team (River)
The Briton, who is also a qualified pilot, found redemption late in the Games by securing a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay with teammates Louis Hinchliffe, Jeremiah Azu and Nathaniel Mitchell-Blake.
Now fully recovered and back in Jamaica, Hughes is looking to start 2025 as strong as possible with the first Grand Slam event in Kingston, Jamaica on April 4-6. The championship will then travel to Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
The Grand Slam Track promises to be a unique competition where racers must compete in all four slams and receive annual base compensation for competing in each, as well as being eligible for full prize money.
“The future of our sport is bright and with the global popularity of running, I believe now is the right time to join the Grand Slam circuit,” said Hughes.
The Grand Slam Track will feature 48 Racers as well as Challengers. Racers will compete in one of the following categories and all compete in two events during each Slam: Short Sprint (100m/200m), Short Hurdles (100m Hurdles or 110m Hurdles/100m), Long Sprint ( 200m/400m), long hurdles (400m hurdles/400m), short distance (800m/1500m) or long distance (3000m/5000m).
AW chats exclusively with Hughes below.
Jarnell Hughes (Getty)
Why did you decide to join the Grand Slam circuit?
When I heard about it, I thought it sounded very interesting. I think it’s a whole new dynamic and the whole initiative is something that’s really exciting. When I got back to Jamaica, I talked to my coach and he asked if I really wanted to try it. I said absolutely , that it is something different and completely different from what we are all used to.
I think it is quite a new thing for sports. The fact that it is new means that everyone will agree, and that is what you want. All the places that we participate in are perfect, especially in Jamaica, because it is very popular with the sprint In Jamaica, people will see how exciting it can really become and more athletes will want to be a part of it in the future.
I was preparing myself the best to be a part of the mix and give nothing but my best to the slam.
How does it feel knowing you’ll be competing against the same Racers more consistently?
The fact that we’re going head-to-head shows that it’s going to be tough and you’re going to be able to see who has the mental strength. It’s almost a championship in itself, and as athletes, we like that.
It’s going to keep us a little sharper and help us throughout the season. No matter where you’re from, it’s a great lineup so far. You’ve got Fred Curley, Kenny Bednarek and myself. What else do you want? It’s very exciting and there will be a crack in them.
It keeps me focused every day to get my point across and keep being consistent, keep showing up and at the end of the day want the best for myself.
How do you envision your 2024 season?
I’ll leave it as a question mark because it wasn’t really a season for me. The last part of the season was going pretty well, but my coach decided we were going to run the 100m a little late, which threw me off usually I like to run to make myself sharper and I felt like I was being held back a little too much, so when it was time to go fast, the window I had was very, very small.
Although I was running fast, I wasn’t competitive. I was running 10.0, but that won’t stop you from winning the Olympics in 9.79. To be that competitive, you have to race, and unfortunately I didn’t do many races because of my injury.
I’m trying to come up with a new strategy this season where I’m going to start things a little earlier and push myself harder when racing.
Kenny Bednarek defeated Jarnell Hughes (Getty)
How was your Paris Olympic journey?
It wasn’t good, it was very painful. When I got knocked out in the 100m, I was devastated. At the same time, I pulled out in the 200m. It was very stiff and nerve-wracking my leg. I felt pain.
I had to sit and hopefully wait for it to settle in. I got an injection from the doctors which helped to smooth things out a bit and also a lot of tape which meant I was able to run the relay.
Running the relay was risky, but I said I’m not leaving Paris without anything, I have to leave something behind. I had already decided it would be my last event of the season, so I was going to give it my all, whatever happened. I remember warming up and praying that I wouldn’t get injured. I also gave it my all when I got the baton and I hoped that everything would stay the same to cross the finish line, but when I did, I was in pain again.
My individual journey was really disappointing, I really wanted to tick that box to say I could walk away from the Olympics with an individual medal, but unfortunately that didn’t happen due to injury.
Does it motivate you to do well next year?
I hold myself accountable, I am that type of athlete. If I don’t manage to perform the way I want, I’m going to dig back in and give myself another chance.
It’s pointless to throw in the gauntlet because things aren’t going that way. I’m getting a lot stronger myself and I’m looking forward to the next season As long as I stay in shape and the Grand Slam is part of my season, it will help me get sharper and more competitive.
Will you be aiming to target your British 100m and 200m records again?
My plan is to try to lower both of those records as much as possible. I won’t say what times I’m looking for, but I’m definitely trying to lower them.
I still have more in there and I’m looking forward to getting them down and having fun as I race. GB guys are growing and I know I’m somewhat of a target so I have to be mindful of that. It keeps me going because knowing that people are chasing you in Britain as well as the world. You know you always have to stay sharp.
I use that as motivation to keep pushing and see how far I can really push the bar. When I’m happy with that, then I can probably hang up my spikes and say I’ve done it.
Jarnell Hughes (Mark Shearman)
How is training after Paris?
I ended my season early, went back to Jamaica and started healing right away. We started a little strength and conditioning work to make sure the hamstring injury was cleared up, we started training in early September.
From there we took it day by day. I’ve been doing more strength work and changing my strength and training in the gym and I can feel the difference I’m already hitting more personal bests in the gym, I’m hitting numbers I’ve never hit before.
I’m looking forward to how I can perform throughout the season. I feel pretty confident in my body and I just have to make sure I rest and recover properly. You can do all the training, but if you don’t recover properly, then it can always hit the fan.
What was it like to star in the first season of the Netflix documentary Sprint?
It was pretty good and it was a little weird for me because I’m not used to it. I had to mentally push myself and just focus on the task ahead because they were a little bit in my area. There were so many cameras where I went. Even when you’re on the starting line, you can see the Netflix guys filming you. It’s a lot of pressure.
Once it came out I saw it on TV and thought it was so good. The interactions I had with so many people from that documentary was so great and made me feel so humbled. It made me smile so much because I couldn’t go anywhere without people calling me out.
For example, when I was passing through airports, parents would come up to me with their children and say that I am an inspiration and their child wants to try out for track and field because of me. Things like that inspire you and make you see how much more you can influence people.
I didn’t watch the second part because of the emotions of Paris, it was just too much.
Jarnell Hughes (Getty)
When did you decide you wanted to be a pilot and will it always be a part of your life?
I started in high school, my friend’s family were pilots, so we always went to the airport together, and I always wanted to fly with him. As soon as I turned 21, I told my mom that I was going to enroll in flight school :
Because of my simulator that I had at home, I was much more advanced than some of the students in the class because I had already learned so much, I just needed the books.
It’s a different dimension of relaxation for me, it’s a bundle of joy. Once I hang up my spikes I would definitely like to continue it, if it’s not flying commercial then I would definitely like to fly private. I would love to just get on a plane with family or friends and go fly somewhere. That’s the lifestyle I want to have after track and field, because aviation never stops. I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to aviation, but it’s just a passion.
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