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Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake: 'The elite mindset will always win the race'

By Henry Young, CNN

Updated 11:42 AM ET, Tue January 9, 2018

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Sprinting for gold: Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake
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Story highlights

  • English sprinter Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake aiming for Commonwealth gold
  • Michell-Blake believes athlete with "elitist mindset" will "always win"

(CNN)Imagine your life changing forever in less than 20 seconds.

That's what happened in May 2016 to Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, a British sprinter who clocked 19.95s at a college athletics meeting in Alabama.
Lining up on the starting blocks relatively unknown outside of track and field circles, Mitchell-Blake crossed the line as the second-fastest Briton of all time over the distance behind John Regis.
    He went on to run the 100m in 9.99s a year later in Columbia, South Carolina, in another personal best performance.
    It means he is only the second Briton in history after Adam Gemili to break both 10 seconds for 100m and 20 seconds for 200 meters.
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    "It sounds very simple but trust me it's not!" says Mitchell-Blake, telling CNN Sport it's mind over matter that allows certain competitors to rise to the top.
    "The person with the elite mindset, I believe, will always win the race," he contends. "It's about being mentally strong which allows your body to be physically strong and just committing to the cause."
    READ: How viral moment redefined the Brownlee brothers

    Commonwealth hopes

    The next destination for the ambitious 23-year-old is Australia's Gold Coast where he will represent England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
    Perhaps the most likely to emerge from Usain Bolt's long shadow, De Grasse set personal bests in both the 100m and 200m at the Rio 2016 Olympics, emerging with silver and bronze medals in a highly competitive field.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Andre De Grasse (Canada) – Perhaps the most likely to emerge from Usain Bolt's long shadow, De Grasse set personal bests in both the 100m and 200m at the Rio 2016 Olympics, emerging with silver and bronze medals in a highly competitive field.
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    Thompson similarly lit up the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming the first woman to win gold <a href="https://www.olympic.org/elaine-thompson" target="_blank">in both individual Olympic sprint events</a> since Florence Griffith Joyner at Seoul 1988.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Elaine Thompson (Jamaica) – Thompson similarly lit up the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming the first woman to win gold in both individual Olympic sprint events since Florence Griffith Joyner at Seoul 1988.
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    In one of the most striking moments of the 2016 Olympics, Miller dived across the line to win 400m gold, edging out Allyson Felix of the US.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Shaunae Miller (Bahamas) – In one of the most striking moments of the 2016 Olympics, Miller dived across the line to win 400m gold, edging out Allyson Felix of the US.
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    The London 2012 Olympic champion is his country's first and only Olympic medalist in any sport. Such is the prodigious 400m runner's stardom in his birthplace, the national football and athletics stadium has been renamed in his honor.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Kirani James (Grenada) – The London 2012 Olympic champion is his country's first and only Olympic medalist in any sport. Such is the prodigious 400m runner's stardom in his birthplace, the national football and athletics stadium has been renamed in his honor.
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    A two-time Olympic 800m champion, Semenya has recently begun running in the 1,500m and she could compete on two fronts in April.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Caster Semenya (South Africa) – A two-time Olympic 800m champion, Semenya has recently begun running in the 1,500m and she could compete on two fronts in April.
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    Still just 23 years old, McLeod is the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 110 meter hurdles.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Omar Mcleod (Jamaica) – Still just 23 years old, McLeod is the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 110 meter hurdles.
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    The two-time Olympic 800m champion is the only person in history to complete two laps of the track in under 1m 41s. Six of the eight fastest 800m times in history have all been recorded by the Kenyan superstar.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    David Rudisha (Kenya) – The two-time Olympic 800m champion is the only person in history to complete two laps of the track in under 1m 41s. Six of the eight fastest 800m times in history have all been recorded by the Kenyan superstar.
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    The 34-year-old Cheruiyot has won Olympic medals of every color and holds the all-time commonwealth 5,000m record having run the distance in 14:20.89. She also competes in the 10,000m.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya) – The 34-year-old Cheruiyot has won Olympic medals of every color and holds the all-time commonwealth 5,000m record having run the distance in 14:20.89. She also competes in the 10,000m.
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    The Rio 2016 champion ran a marathon in 2:00:25 as part of the Breaking2 project in May 2017, shaving over two minutes off the previous fastest time.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) – The Rio 2016 champion ran a marathon in 2:00:25 as part of the Breaking2 project in May 2017, shaving over two minutes off the previous fastest time.
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    Capable of throwing a shot over 21 meters, Adams is the first woman in history to win four consecutive individual world titles in a track and field event. The two-time Olympic champion has only been beaten twice in major world events since 2006.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Valerie Adams (New Zealand) – Capable of throwing a shot over 21 meters, Adams is the first woman in history to win four consecutive individual world titles in a track and field event. The two-time Olympic champion has only been beaten twice in major world events since 2006.
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    He may only have taken up the javelin aged 15 but "Keshie" Walcott had won Olympic gold in London before his 20th birthday. He followed up with bronze in Rio.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) – He may only have taken up the javelin aged 15 but "Keshie" Walcott had won Olympic gold in London before his 20th birthday. He followed up with bronze in Rio.
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    The Kiwi won pole vault bronze at Rio 2016 in her first ever Olympics and, having only recently celebrated her 21st birthday, still has her best years ahead of her.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Eliza McCartney (New Zealand) – The Kiwi won pole vault bronze at Rio 2016 in her first ever Olympics and, having only recently celebrated her 21st birthday, still has her best years ahead of her.
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    A long jump gold medalist on home soil at London 2012, Rutherford followed it up with a bronze in Rio four years later. His personal best is 8.51m (27ft 11in).
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Greg Rutherford (England) – A long jump gold medalist on home soil at London 2012, Rutherford followed it up with a bronze in Rio four years later. His personal best is 8.51m (27ft 11in).
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    A Commonwealth Games gold medalist in Glasgow at the age of 18, the long jumper will hope to repeat the feat for Nigeria on the Gold Coast.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Ese Brume (Nigeria) – A Commonwealth Games gold medalist in Glasgow at the age of 18, the long jumper will hope to repeat the feat for Nigeria on the Gold Coast.
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    Widely considered one of the the greatest female squash players of all time, David was world No. 1 for a staggering 108 consecutive months, only losing her throne in September 2015. She will be looking for a third consecutive Commonwealth gold in April?
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Nicol David (Malaysia) – Widely considered one of the the greatest female squash players of all time, David was world No. 1 for a staggering 108 consecutive months, only losing her throne in September 2015. She will be looking for a third consecutive Commonwealth gold in April?
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    The most successful Malaysian Olympian in history, Lee was the world No. 1 badminton player for 199 consecutive weeks. The 35-year-old has taken home silver at the past three Olympic Games.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Lee Chog Wei (Malaysia) – The most successful Malaysian Olympian in history, Lee was the world No. 1 badminton player for 199 consecutive weeks. The 35-year-old has taken home silver at the past three Olympic Games.
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    Safely inscribed in the history books as the first women's Olympic boxing champion, Adams retained her title at Rio 2016 and continues to dominate the flyweight division.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Nicola Adams (England) – Safely inscribed in the history books as the first women's Olympic boxing champion, Adams retained her title at Rio 2016 and continues to dominate the flyweight division.
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    No British athlete in history can boast more Olympic gold medals than Kenny — although Chris Hoy can match his tally of six. Wife Laura (R), owner of four Olympic golds herself, gave birth to a son in September 2017. Prior to the birth of Albert, she was already plotting her return to competitive cycling and qualification for the Games.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Jason and Laura Kenny (England) – No British athlete in history can boast more Olympic gold medals than Kenny — although Chris Hoy can match his tally of six. Wife Laura (R), owner of four Olympic golds herself, gave birth to a son in September 2017. Prior to the birth of Albert, she was already plotting her return to competitive cycling and qualification for the Games.
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    His nation's most successful gymnast, Whitlock has five Olympic medals to his name, including gold in the men's floor exercises and pommel horse at Rio 2016.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Max Whitlock (England) – His nation's most successful gymnast, Whitlock has five Olympic medals to his name, including gold in the men's floor exercises and pommel horse at Rio 2016.
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    Skinner became the first Australian to win Olympic gold in a shooting event for 12 years when she triumphed at Rio 2016 in the trap.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Catherine Skinner (Australia) – Skinner became the first Australian to win Olympic gold in a shooting event for 12 years when she triumphed at Rio 2016 in the trap.
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    Growing up in a shanty with no electricity, Tuwai used plastic bottles for rugby balls and a roundabout for a pitch. Now, as an Olympic gold medalist and captain of his country, the 28-year-old will be determined to add a Commonwealth crown.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Jerry Tuwai (Fiji) – Growing up in a shanty with no electricity, Tuwai used plastic bottles for rugby balls and a roundabout for a pitch. Now, as an Olympic gold medalist and captain of his country, the 28-year-old will be determined to add a Commonwealth crown.
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    Having never even played the sport until her late teens, Caslick was named World Rugby Sevens women's Player of the Year in 2016. Still just 22, the all-rounder is already an Olympic gold medalist.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Charlotte Caslick (Australia) – Having never even played the sport until her late teens, Caslick was named World Rugby Sevens women's Player of the Year in 2016. Still just 22, the all-rounder is already an Olympic gold medalist.
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    The teenage freestyle swimmer beat an experienced field to take gold in the Rio 2016 100m final. He was the first Australian to win the particular event since 1968.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Kyle Chalmers (Australia) – The teenage freestyle swimmer beat an experienced field to take gold in the Rio 2016 100m final. He was the first Australian to win the particular event since 1968.
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    A world record holder in both the 50m and 100m, Peaty has made no secret of his desire to be the Michael Phelps of breaststroke, recently taking CNN Sport through <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/03/sport/adam-peaty-interview-swimming-fina-world-championships-budapest-olympics/index.html">his secrets of swimming success</a>.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Adam Peaty (England) – A world record holder in both the 50m and 100m, Peaty has made no secret of his desire to be the Michael Phelps of breaststroke, recently taking CNN Sport through his secrets of swimming success.
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    When Oleksiak (R) won the women's 100m freestyle final at Rio 2016, many of the headlines focused on the woman she tied with for gold. Simone Manuel of the US (L) was the first African-American Olympic swimming champion in history, but it should not be forgotten Oleksiak will still be just 17 years old when she competes on the Gold Coast.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Penny Oleksiak (Canada) – When Oleksiak (R) won the women's 100m freestyle final at Rio 2016, many of the headlines focused on the woman she tied with for gold. Simone Manuel of the US (L) was the first African-American Olympic swimming champion in history, but it should not be forgotten Oleksiak will still be just 17 years old when she competes on the Gold Coast.
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    The first Welsh woman to win a Commonwealth swimming gold since 1974, Carlin has a great chance to retain her title in April, having won silver medals in both the 400m and 800m freestyle at Rio 2016.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Jazz Carlin (Wales) – The first Welsh woman to win a Commonwealth swimming gold since 1974, Carlin has a great chance to retain her title in April, having won silver medals in both the 400m and 800m freestyle at Rio 2016.
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    Alistair Brownlee (L) may be the only triathlete to win two Olympic titles, but his younger brother Jonny (R) isn't half bad either, having taken silver at Rio 2016 and the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Alistair & Jonathan Brownlee (England) – Alistair Brownlee (L) may be the only triathlete to win two Olympic titles, but his younger brother Jonny (R) isn't half bad either, having taken silver at Rio 2016 and the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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    With 11 world singles titles and seven Commonwealth Games golds between them, Foster and Marshall are the undisputed kings of lawn bowls.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Alex Marshall & Paul Foster (Scotland) – With 11 world singles titles and seven Commonwealth Games golds between them, Foster and Marshall are the undisputed kings of lawn bowls.
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    The reigning commonwealth champion in the women's +75kg category will hope to improve on her disappointing showing at the past Olympics, when she blamed a lack of preparation.
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Maryam Usman (Nigeria) – The reigning commonwealth champion in the women's +75kg category will hope to improve on her disappointing showing at the past Olympics, when she blamed a lack of preparation.
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    The first woman from India to win a medal in Olympic wrestling, Malik took bronze in the -58kg freestyle in Rio, building on the silver she won at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games<strong>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cnnsport/" target="_blank"><strong></strong>Who are you looking forward to seeing at the Commonwealth Games?</strong> <em>Have your say on CNN Sport's Facebook page</em></a>
    Photos: 70 nations, 275 events
    Sakshi Malik (India) – The first woman from India to win a medal in Olympic wrestling, Malik took bronze in the -58kg freestyle in Rio, building on the silver she won at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Who are you looking forward to seeing at the Commonwealth Games? Have your say on CNN Sport's Facebook page
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    andre de grasse canada athleticselaine thompson 100m winshaunae miller rio homepage 2Kirani James Grenadian flagCaster SemenyaOmar McleodGettyImages-589934914cheruiyot vivian kenya 5000mOlympics Marathon Kipchoge19 what a shot 0311Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago javelineliza mccartney new zealand pole vault olympic greg rutherford long jump ese brume nigeria long jump womensnicol david of malaysia badmintonlee chong wei malaysia badminton 02 what a shot 0411Jason Kenny Laura TrottMax whitlock great britain gymnastics catherine skinner australia trap shooting jerry tuwai fiji sevens charlotte caslick cloudskyle chalmers gold homepage 2peaty teasesimone manuel catherine skinnr swimmers rio 2016 olympics jazz carlin wales swimmer commonwealth games brownlee brothers sportsmanship teaseAlex Marshall and Paul Foster Scotland lawn bowlsmaryam usman nigeria weightlifting sakshi malik india wrestler
    The sprinter is bidding to emulate the likes of Leon Baptiste, Julian Golding and Marcus Adam -- previous English winners of the 200m gold medal.
    To have any chance of doing so, he will have to beat some of the finest athletes on the planet.
    But, if Mitchell-Blake is to be believed, there's no secret to sprinting success -- just hard work and mental strength.
    "There is a lot of detail that goes into different aspects of the race," he adds. "Me being a 200-meter sprinter, they say the first 40 meters is like 'free energy' so I try and really blast the first 40, trying to stay as close to the line as possible, keeping my shapes nice and tall, coming onto the home straight, and finishing strong.
    READ: Scotland's first female Commonwealth boxer "expecting gold"
    Visit CNN.com/commonwealthgames for more news and features
    "To shed milliseconds off your time, I don't believe there's an actual secret. Getting stronger in the weight room, getting faster on the track and allowing yourself to be focused.
    "I go into every race to win, it doesn't always come out that way but I believe you have to have that mindset."