You may think running 100m or 200m would seem somewhat mundane to a man who flies thousands of feet into the air in challenging conditions – but you would be wrong.
“I feel more pressure on the track than in the air,” he admits, while staring at the sky – clearly visualising being among the clouds above Kingston, where he lives.
“There’s such focus on performing and executing your plan in athletics, then there’s the crowd as well, but when you’re flying it’s just so much more relaxed.
“When I’m in the cockpit, I’m in complete control. Even when there are crosswinds and bad weather I’m up there soaring, looking out at the scenery, feeling like a bird – and it’s amazing to just feel free.”
Hughes’ body language and the relaxed way in which he speaks suggests he is not someone who generally struggles with the weight of expectation – but flying, as well as playing Fifa and Call of Duty, is his way of “keeping calm and chilled”.
“Yes I like parties, but you have to stay focused. That’s what Usain always told me: ‘Don’t let ANYTHING distract you and enjoy the sport’,” he says.
“After that’s over, then I can enjoy my guilty pleasures like pizza, really spicy wings, jerk chicken and chocolate – I love chocolate and biscuits!”
