Dina Asher-Smith narrowly edged out Amy Hunt in a close finish to claim the 200m national title, announcing her permanent move back to London. The fastest woman in Britain set a championship record of 22.14 seconds in windy Birmingham, attributing her recent success to the familiar surroundings of her London home after leaving Texas, where she trained with renowned coach Edrick Floreal for 18 months.
Asher-Smith prefers to keep her current support network private until after the upcoming World Championships to avoid any distractions. However, she hinted at being back in an environment that allows for open discussions and enables her to feel happy and fully engaged. Expressing her desire for a smooth journey to Tokyo, she emphasized her readiness to perform well at the upcoming event.
Confirming her decision to compete in both the 100m and 200m events in Japan, Asher-Smith confidently stated that she feels in medal-winning form. Meanwhile, Zharnel Hughes set a championship record of 19.9 seconds in the men’s 200m, adding to his earlier gold medal win. Josh Kerr demonstrated his superiority in the 5000m race by accelerating in the final kilometer after a slow start.
Georgia Hunter Bell secured victory in the 800m race, signaling her intention to participate in both the 800m and 1500m events at the Tokyo Olympics. Her final plans will be decided after competing in the 800m event at the Lausanne Diamond League, where Keely Hodgkinson is set to make her comeback from injury on August 20. When asked about facing Olympic 800m champion Hodgkinson, Hunter Bell praised her training partner’s skills and acknowledged the challenge ahead.
Overall, the national championship showcased impressive performances from top athletes, setting the stage for exciting competitions in upcoming events.
