Zharnel Hughes delivered a sensational performance at the Adidas Atlanta City Games on Saturday (17 May), storming to victory in the men’s 200m straight with a blistering time of 19.55 seconds (2.2).
The British sprint star edged out Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who pushed him all the way to the line before settling for second in 19.63s. South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk completed the podium, finishing third in 20.03s.
The event, held on a unique straightaway track at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, drew a high-calibre field for the men’s 200m showdown.
For van Niekerk, it marked the start of his 2025 athletics season, and his first major outing since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he fell just short of qualifying for the 200m final. Now 32, the Olympic 400m champion from Rio 2016 showed good form in his third-place finish, getting out of the blocks well and maintaining his top speed through what was a clean, competitive race.
Though primarily known for his dominance in the 400m — where his 43.03 world record from the Rio Games still stands — van Niekerk is no stranger to the shorter sprints. He claimed silver in the 200m at the 2017 World Championships and secured the African title in the event in 2016, with his personal best of 19.84s set in Jamaica in 2017.
Saturday’s race served as a strong indicator of form for both Hughes and van Niekerk ahead of a packed 2025 athletics calendar. Hughes, who has been steadily building his credentials as one of the fastest men on the planet, was electric down the straight and continues to stake his claim as a serious contender in both the 100m and 200m this season.
Athletics fans have plenty to look forward to as the road to the World Athletics Championships heats up.
