JET-SETTER Zharnel Hughes plans to fly off the Doha blocks into the record books — and then spend retirement flying around the world!
The British sprinter fancies his prospects of winning a medal in the 100 metres and 200m at the World Championships in Qatar, which start on Friday.
Hughes, 24, is among the favourites for success and aims to emulate close pal Linford Christie, who became world 100m champion at Stuttgart in 1993.
Away from the track, qualified private pilot Hughes has ambitions to run his own airline.
Hughes, nicknamed ‘The Captain’ by former training partner Usain Bolt, said: “Ever since I was 11 years old and I flew in a private plane from Anguilla, I have been fascinated by planes.
“I remember sitting in the cockpit and being told, ‘Don’t touch anything’. That trip and feeling sparked some passion in me. A friend of mine is a pilot and I started reading his books and he encouraged me.
“I missed out going to flight school in Jamaica as a teenager but went back there aged 21. I enjoy it and it’s something I want to do after my track career ends. And maybe own an aviation company.”
He added: “Before I came over to the UK for the trials in July, I broke a national record, quickest to fly solo after five hours — that includes all the classes, emergency procedures you have to go through, all the circuits.
“I want to do private airlines. But I will have to do a bit of commercial flying before I get there full-time. You need the hours and flying some passengers.
“People ask me to take pictures but I am fully focused on flying.
“I might get a GoPro, hook it up inside the cockpit and start posting more on social media so you guys can see it, hopefully inspire some younger athletes . . . probably pursue their dreams of becoming a pilot!”
The European 100m champion (below), who runs for Shaftesbury Barnet, was born in Anguilla and retains close links to the Caribbean given he has been trained in Jamaica by super-coach Glen Mill since late 2017.
Mills, 70, famously guided the world’s fastest man Bolt to eight Olympic golds and 11 world titles.
Hughes said: “The coach is a big mentor to me. He’s like a father and best friend. I really acknowledge the time he spends with me, to help me grow into a better athlete. He’s a tough man to please. It’s quite hard to hear the word ‘perfect’ from coach Mills. I’ve heard it twice in two years.
“Working with him, I can see why Usain was the athlete he was. Coach played a major role for him and he is doing the same to me.
“He’s very precise and technical. He has a 3D eye. He makes you feel as if you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. He turns something on and you feel like, ‘OK, it’s possible. I just need to do this and I’ll get it done’.
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
