Zharnel Hughes is aiming to break a third British sprint record by eclipsing Dwain Chambers’ best in the 60 meters.
Hughes became Britain’s fastest man over 100m and 200m in 2023 before injury dashed his 2024 Olympic hopes in Paris.
The 29-year-old insists there is much more to come and is now targeting Chambers’ indoor 60m mark of 6.42 seconds, which has stood for more than 15 years.
Hughes, looking ahead to next summer’s World Championships in Tokyo, told the PA news agency: “My expectations are high, yes. My goal is to run fast. Let’s see what happens.
“My coach and I will have to sit down and look at the schedule, especially the Diamond League.
“We are definitely going to do a few more races like this and I told my coach I wanted to try 60m races.
“I feel like I can break the British record there too. I want to focus on technique, making sure I refine the things that need to be fixed.
“It’s a strategy that I study, attacking the first 60 meters, and doing things well, so it prepares me well for the last 40 meters of the 100.
“It definitely won’t be the World Indoor Championships, but a few 60m races just to get in shape, as well as the Diamond League races.”
Hughes, who won bronze in the 100m at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023, is determined to guard against further injury after a hamstring problem ruined his chances in Paris.
In June 2023 he ran 9.83 seconds to break the British 100m record held by Linford Christie for 30 years and the following month clocked 19.73 seconds in the 200m to better John Regis’ record.
Hughes predicted his new 100m record on the morning of the race at the Diamond League meeting in London and hopes to run faster next year.
“I can’t say exactly what times, but I’m looking at a low of 9.7 or a mid of 9.7,” he said. “Who knows if I can get a 9.6 on my body? That would be exceptional.
“But I have high demands on myself and I have a lot more to give. I work hard to make my body much stronger to ensure I avoid injuries.
Hughes, who still prefers the 200m over the shorter distances, added: “I’m still trying to learn a bit more about the 100m.
“There is still a lot to do, especially in the first few meters. This is one of my weakest areas and one that I try to really focus on.
“My maximum running speed is one of the best in the world. I will always catch you at the end of the race.
“So I try to concentrate on the first 30 to 50 meters. Next season we can’t wait to attack that.
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