RANDALLS ISLAND, NEW YORK, June 24 — An upset win by Zharnel Hughes in the 100 was the standout men’s performance at the USATF NYC Grand Prix. Though he had predicted he might run fast, he shocked himself when the result materialized. For several minutes after his world-leading 9.83 victory, the 27-year-old Briton had a look of utter disbelief on his face.
Not only had he defeated a solid field at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, but his time had also eclipsed the British Record of 9.87 set by Linford Christie to win the ’93 world title. It was an unexpected result as late as 60m into the race. Hughes got a slow start and trailed Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake and 2019 world champ Christian Coleman until that point.
Hughes — who didn’t make the 100 final in Eugene last summer but rebounded with a silver medal at the European Championships (where he also won gold in the 200 and 4×1) — pulled away in the final 20m to build a comfortable cushion over Blake (9.93), with Coleman 3rd in 10.02. The wind was helpful (+1.3), but still legal. “When I turned around and saw the time on the clock, I was like, ‘What?!,’” he said. “I’m just flooded with emotions.”
Hughes wasn’t too concerned after falling behind early. “My coach told me, don’t worry about the start,” he said of his pre-race pep talk from Glen Mills (who coached Usain Bolt). “I’m not going to be a great starter. I’m the type of person who builds up as I go. As long as I go technically through my phases, I’ll be fine.”
After being mobbed by fans upon arriving at the stadium, Noah Lyles won the meet-closing 200 in 19.83. “The crowd was the winner on this one,” said the 2-time world champ. “This race was really about having fun, coming out here and doing my thing.”
With a Wild Card to Budapest in his pocket, Lyles admitted that he’s been able to stay relaxed in the lead-up to USATF, where he will attempt to make the team in the 100 as well. “It wasn’t the fastest time, but the main reason I came out here was to make sure that I got up to top speed today, which I definitely did, especially in that first 100,” he said. “I had a little bit of a hitch coming off the turn, but everything went well. I felt like I closed the door in the first 100, which is very important.”
Florida prep phenom Issam Asinga (now officially representing Suriname) was a distant 2nd in 20.25.
USATF NYC MEN’S RESULTS
100(1.3): 1. Zharnel Hughes (GB) 9.83 NR (WL);
2. Ackeem Blake (Jam) 9.93; 3. Christian Coleman (US) 10.02; 4. Brandon Carnes (US) 10.05; 5. Kendal Williams (US) 10.10; 6. Kadrian Goldson (Jam) 10.22; 7. Demek Kemp (US) 10.38; 8. Jonathan Farinha (Tri) 10.54; 9. Terrance Laird (US) 17.57.
200(0.8): 1. Noah Lyles (US) 19.83; 2. Issam Asinga (Sur) 20.25; 3. Elijah Morrow (US) 20.30; 4. Carnes 20.50; 5. James Dadzie (Gha) 20.63; 6. Alonso Edward (Pan) 20.79.
400: 1. Zandrion Barnes (Jam) 45.05; 2. Matthew Boling (US) 45.58 PR; 3. Trevor Stewart (US) 45.85; 4. Karayme Bartley (Jam) 46.60; 5. Noah Williams (US) 46.61.
800: 1. Bryce Hoppel (US) 1:44.55 (51.38/53.17); 2. Isaiah Harris (US) 1:45.11 (51.78/53.33); 3. Hobbs Kessler (US) 1:45.80 PR (52.06/53.74); 4. Brandon Miller (US) 1:46.23; 5. Will Sumner (US) 1:46.79; 6. Erik Sowinski (US) 1:46.98; 7. Abraham Alvarado (US) 1:47.99;… rabbit—Amonu Chinedu (US) (51.27).
1500: 1. Eric Holt (US) 3:37.07; 2. Craig Engels (US) 3:38.15; 3. Henry Wynne (US) 3:38.35; 4. Drew Hunter (US) 3:38.66; 5. Rob Napolitano (PR) 3:39.72; 6. Morgan Beadlescomb (US) 3:39.86; 7. Sam Parsons (Ger) 3:39.94; 8. Jack Anstey (Aus) 3:40.55; 9. Davis Bove (US) 3:41.21; 10. Christian Noble (US) 3:44.33;… rabbit—Sowinski (56.19, 59.41 [1:55.60]).
110H(1.6): 1. Daniel Roberts (US) 13.01; 2. Devon Allen (US) 13.04; 3. Jamal Britt (US) 13.19; 4. Eric Edwards (US) 13.23; 5. Michael Dickson (US) 13.26; 6. Robert Dunning (US) 13.29; 7. Orlando Bennett (Jam) 13.34; 8. Damion Thomas (Jam) 13.53; 9. Trey Cunningham (US) 13.57.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Donald Thomas (Bah) 7-5¼ (2.27); 2. Shelby McEwen (US) 7-4¼ (2.24); 3. Vernon Turner (US) 7-3 (2.21); 4. Kyle Rollins (US) 7-1 (2.16); 5. tie, Darryl Sullivan (US) & Shaun Miller (Bah) 6-11 (2.11).
SP: 1. Payton Otterdahl (US) 70-6½ (21.50); 2. Chuk Enekwechi (Ngr) 70-3¾ (21.43); 3. Darrell Hill (US) 70-2¼ (21.39); 4. Roger Steen (US) 68-9¾ (20.97).
DT: 1. Traves Smikle (Jam) 214-5 (65.36); 2. Alex Rose (AmS) 212-0 (64.63); 3. Kai Chang (Jam) 207-3 (63.17); 4. Brian Williams (US) 201-11 (61.54); 5. Sam Mattis (US) 200-6 (61.13); 6. Josh Syrotchen (US) 199-2 (60.70); 7. Andrew Evans (US) 198-8 (60.56).
HT: 1. Rudy Winkler (US) 258-2 (78.70); 2. Daniel Haugh (US) 248-6 (75.75); 3. Sean Donnelly (US) 241-1 (73.49); 4. Alex Young (US) 240-9 (73.38); 5. Diego Del Real (Mex) 236-9 (72.16); 6. Alencar Pereira (Bra) 231-8 (70.62); 7. Morgan Shigo (US) 231-7 (70.58);… 5f—Denzel Comenentia (Neth).
JT: 1. Ethan Shalaway (US) 252-10 (77.06); 2. Curtis Thompson (US) 248-10 (75.84); 3. Capers Williamson (US) 248-7 (75.76); 4. Marc Minichello (US) 246-7 (75.16); 5. Ethan Dabbs (US) 240-5 (73.28); 6. Michael Shuey (US) 236-6 (72.08); 7. Jacob Moran (US) 230-6 (70.26); 8. Brett Thompson (US) 224-9 (68.50).