Third time’s the charm, so the saying goes.
Zharnel Hughes will certainly hope that proves to be the case in 2024.
This summer, in Paris, the 28-year-old will chase his first Olympic medal after injury and error ruined his previous two attempts.
A knee ligament problem denied him the chance to compete in 2016 before the heartbreak of Tokyo 2020, when he had a false start in a 100m final that saw Italy’s Marcell Jacobs crowned a shock champion.
It is the experience of three years ago in particular that made his World Championship success all the more significant.
Having broken two long-standing British sprint records in an outstanding 2023 season, Hughes became the first British man to make the world 100m podium for 20 years as he claimed his first individual global medal in Budapest last summer.
“Over the years, the issue has been the injuries I had and a lot to do with my mental space,” Hughes tells BBC Sport.
“Sometimes I felt as if I was putting a little bit too much pressure on myself and I wasn’t really enjoying the moments. I have definitely changed that narrative going into this season,” he adds.
“This year I’m relaxed. I’m not really thinking about what I have done last season. It’s a whole new year, Paris 2024 is what we’re looking forward to and I’m just looking forward to going out there and giving my best again.
“They say third time is always lucky, so I’m hoping to make this one count.”
The world 100m final proved so tight that Hughes momentarily believed he had beaten American champion Noah Lyles to gold, bursting into celebration as he crossed the finish line.
That was an indication of the confidence with which he had arrived at the championships, reinforced by running 9.83 seconds to break Linford Christie’s 30-year British 100m mark and 19.73 to beat John Regis’ 200m record.
The bronze confirmed on the big screen moments later would not detract from Hughes’ ecstasy over at last seizing his opportunity and delivering in a major final.
“Confidence has always been there. Belief was where the issue was,” says Hughes, who failed to qualify from his semi-final at the previous Worlds in 2022.
“Now I have tapped into that rhythm where my belief has been aligned with my confidence and, along with my speed, we’re seeing the performances.
“I’m just happy for the people I have in my corner. My support system has helped tremendously to get me to the point I’m at now. Sometimes you just see the great performances of the athlete but there’s a lot behind the scenes. I’m looking forward to making them even more proud this season.”
