UK sprinter Zharnel Hughes has said “manifestation is real” after he wrote down and predicted his record-breaking 9.83s run on the morning of the race.
Hughes smashed Linford Christie’s 30-year-old British record and became the second-fastest European ever with a sensational performance in New York.
The athlete later shared a diary entry that reads: “Saturday June 24th. Competition day in New York. I’m going to run 9.83. Slowest 9.89-9.91. Have faith.”
Hughes, 27, said he penned the note after seeing the time in a dream the night before.
“When I looked at the clock and saw 9.83, I don’t know if you saw my reaction, but I was like: ‘What just happened there?’ It actually came through,” he said.
“Manifestation is real.”
There are more than nine million posts on Instagram with #manifestation and it has billions of views on TikTok.
It’s the idea of achieving one’s goals through aspirational thoughts and visualisation, essentially a form of positive thinking, although many say it also involves a spiritual dimension.
For Hughes though, it marks years of hard work and knocks 0.04s off Christie’s record and smashes his own personal best.
The sprinter blasted past the rest of the field in the closing stages of the NYC Grand Prix and looked to still be accelerating as he crossed the line.
Seeing the time, he covered his mouth in shock – it’s the fastest in the world this year and puts him among the favourites for the upcoming world championships.
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He also has coach Glen Mills in his corner – the man who helped Usain Bolt to greatness.
Some believe Hughes could even get close to the Jamaican legend’s world record of 9.58s if he improves his start.
Writing on Instagram, Hughes added: “I prayed for times like this, so I had to grind to get here! Never stop believing in yourself.”
