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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Majendie

‘Insane’ Zharnel Hughes can secure place in history with 200m medal, says Daryll Neita

Gold medal hopeful Zharnel Hughes has been labelled "insane" by GB sprint team-mate Daryll Neita ahead of tonight's 200metre final.

The 100m bronze medallist is in contention to become the first British man to win two individual sprint medals at one World Championships after qualifying for the final.

Noah Lyles, the 100m champion, looks the man to beat after he set the fastest time in the semi-finals of 19.76seconds moments after being involved in a golf buggy crash on his way to the race.

Neita, who set a personal best of 22.21secs to make the women's final with Dina Asher-Smith, was quick to praise Hughes.

"Insane," she said. "That's the only word I've got for Zharnel. He's so inspirational. And just watching his mindset and how he attacks his races, he's such a positive person on the team as well.

"He's always giving me a little nudge of encouragement here and there, so it's been amazing to have him around this year for us.

"I feel like we can see it now, that he's really coming into his own. He's obviously done the work behind the scenes, and he's his own man now.

"It's just great to see. It's been amazing to watch his journey because he's made many championships and run amazing times but I think this year we're seeing it all coming together and I'm excited for him."

Hughes described his semi-final, in which he finished second, as "controlled running".

The 26-year-old, who is guided by Usain Bolt's former coach, Glen Mills, said: "That is what the instruction was today. Don't try to do anything crazy, just qualify.

"I am looking forward to being out there tomorrow. I'll definitely bring my A game. I don't care who is in the race with me, I am just going to run."

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