Back in 2015, in a Diamond League meet in New York, Zharnel Hughes was awestruck when he realized Usain Bolt was running right beside him. It didn’t strike Hughes right then, but that also meant that he was running almost as fast as the ‘Lightning Bolt.’ Well, this Briton can keep up with Jamaican speedsters. And that probably has something to do with his lineage and his upbringing. How so? Well, we know so much about Zharnel Hughes’ accomplishments, but how well do we know his parents?

Who is Zharnel Hughes’ father?

For Howell Hughes, it was not a surprise that his son, Zharnel, has become a history-making sprinter. As Howell said to BCC in April 2014, “It’s not surprising to me – from an early age he was fast. We would often go to the beach and have a race, sometimes I beat him, sometimes he beat me.” Zharnel’s father is not a professional sprinter, no. Hailing from Anguilla, which is a small British Overseas Territory in the East Caribbean, Howell Hughes operates a taxi service.

Although his conviction was spot on, “He always had that pace. From the age of 12, I figured he would make the top.” But what made him think his son would go to the top? That’s because many family members on Zharnel’s mother’s side and his father’s side were athletes. And Zharnel Hughes used to beat them fair and square. “From an early age, he was the fastest of his friends, the fastest on the island. He is a natural talent,” told the proud father to BCC.

Howell Hughes is a laidback person, and he thinks his son has inherited his personality: “He is very relaxed. After the race he doesn’t brag or anything. If you notice after some races he puts his fingers across his lips, which I think is his way of saying don’t talk too much and just keep calm.” And just so the Paris Olympics bronze medalist didn’t forget the mantra, his father left him a little advice a long time ago: “One step at a time, keep relaxed, and keep the party flame going.”

Looks like that has exactly been how Zharnel Hughes has approached his career, who is indebted to the sacrifices his parents have made. And speaking of parents, his mother’s love was a protective shield with which Zharnel took on the world.

Who is Zharnel’s mother?

The 2023 World Athletics Bronze medalist travels the world. That only makes him super happy when he comes back home to Anguilla, where his family stays now, where his mother is. However, Zarnalyn Ebanks is originally from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Getting married to Howell Hughes, she made Anguilla her home more than 20 years ago. His mother took up the job of a housekeeper while at Anguilla.

How important is Zarnalyn Ebanks to the Olympian son? “My mother is mostly the big supporter. My father does support me, but my mother is the biggest one,” the 2022 200m European Champion told Jamaican Observer in May 2014. When he comes back to Anguilla to relax and reconnect with his family, there are two things he just can’t get enough of – the serene beaches and his mother’s cooking, as he confessed to Daily Herald in September 2018.

Zharnel Hughes talked about how deeply his mother cares about his well-being. Sharing a story with the Anguillan in June 2013, the track superstar told how his mother’s overprotective nature almost stopped him from joining Anguilla’s national track team. “Being the protective type, she (Zarnalyn Ebanks) was reluctant, but my wishes were finally granted.” As for the influence on his track and field career, Jamaicans are regarded to be born with the running genes. Maybe that’s why Zharnel Hughes’ brother, Pantha, was also a sprinter in his youth days.

And many other relatives on his mother’s side were sprinters in some capacity. The only difference is the Briton sprinter made sprinting his life goal. And in his goal, his parents have been beside him as proud supporters.

What is Zharnel Hughes’ parents’ nationality?

Howell Hughes is Anguillan by nationality, while Zarnalyn Ebanks is Jamaican. Then why is Zharnel Hughes representing Great Britain? Well, Anguilla is under British control, and the International Olympics Committee doesn’t recognize Anguilla as an independent nation. So, in June 2015, the 2022 Commonwealth Games 200m silver medalist decided to opt for Great Britain and has been racking up medals on the global stage ever since.

The next stop for the Briton – Grand Slam Track.