Hinchliffe entered 2024 with a private better of 10.17secs however, after only one winter working alongside Lewis, has shattered the 10-second barrier, claimed two vital titles, and booked his Olympic debut.
In reality, that has all occurred in simply six weeks.
Recording the second-fastest all-condition 100m in British historical past with a wind-assisted 9.84 seconds in Might, he adopted up that assertion consequence by changing into the primary European man to win the US collegiate 100m title.
In reaching success on the prestigious NCAA Championships – one 12 months after ending final within the semi-finals – he ran 9.95secs, his first authorized sub-10, putting him sixth on the British all-time listing whereas additionally making him the surprising favorite for Paris qualification.
Regardless of the strain of an expectant residence crowd on Saturday, Hinchliffe once more displayed his propensity for acting on the massive stage, not solely securing the top-two end required for Olympic qualification however demonstrating his fearlessness and memorable type to take victory.
Hinchliffe is the primary to acknowledge the essential function Lewis has performed in making his goals come true to this point.
“He has made an enormous distinction,” mentioned Hinchliffe.
“He is a nine-time Olympic champion, you simply must be an open e-book and absorb all the recommendation he provides you.
“He’ll make jokes and he’ll even be exhausting on you when one thing is not proper. He retains me heading in the right direction.”
Talking to BBC Sport earlier this 12 months, Lewis joked: “If Louie goes to the Olympic Video games and wins two gold medals, I am going to remind him that he wants seven extra.”
However remaining humble amid the exterior pleasure is on the forefront Hinchliffe’s thoughts and, with Lewis’ expertise to be taught from, he’s persevering with to take a breakneck 12 months in his stride.
His first Olympic expertise, now solely a month away, will undoubtedly be enhanced by the presence of 1984 and 1988 100m champion Lewis, a person who is aware of all about dealing with career-defining moments.
And after witnessing first-hand the progress Hinchliffe has made throughout their comparatively quick partnership, Lewis is just not ruling something out as a debut Video games approaches for an athlete he believes can go on to turn out to be one in every of Britain’s greatest.
“If he runs his greatest, he’ll make the Olympic remaining,” Lewis mentioned.
“When you’re within the remaining, you are in with a shot.
“The restrict [for Louie]? Thank goodness we do not know. It means we will at all times try to get it.
“My aim is for him to get to the Olympic remaining. In the event you get there, anyone has an opportunity.”
