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Dina Asher-Smith tuned up for Tokyo by defending her British 200 metres title — but only after a dramatic photo finish. The 29-year-old set a UK Athletics Championships record of 22.14sec to win in Birmingham on Sunday and seal her spot at next month’s World Championships in Japan.
However, Asher-Smith was pushed all the way by Amy Hunt, who finished fast to clock the same time as her more established team-mate and set a huge personal best.
‘It was an excellent race,’ said Asher-Smith, who is back training in London after a brief stint in Texas. ‘Neither of us knew who had won so we needed that photo finish. But I am happy to come here and run a fantastic time.’
Asher-Smith finished fourth in the 200m at last summer’s Paris Olympics, but her time yesterday would have been good enough for bronze. Asked whether she can win a second world 200m title next month, six years after her only global gold in Doha, she said: ‘I would love that. I am in great shape.
‘That was a great run from me and there are a few things in there I can tweak, so I am happy.’
Hunt finished second ahead of Daryll Neita — who was fifth at last year’s Olympics — and moves above her to third in the all-time British rankings.
Dina Asher-Smith tuned up for the World Championships by defending her British 200m title
The 29-year-old set a UK Athletics Championships record of 22.14sec to win in Birmingham
Asher-Smith finished fourth in the 200m at last summer’s Paris Olympics , but her time yesterday would have been good enough for bronze
‘I couldn’t quite get the dip on the line but that was a serious time,’ said the 23-year-old, who won the 100m on Saturday.
‘I have moved up to third on the UK all-time, nearly overtaking Kathy Cook. It is really exciting to be taking the step up. Going to Tokyo and being a dark horse is super exciting.’
In the men’s 200m, Zharnel Hughes also broke the championship record as he stormed home in 19.90sec to complete a UK sprint double after his 100m win on Saturday.
‘I’m excited to see what I can do in Tokyo,’ said Britain’s fastest man. ‘I can go a lot faster. My coach will get me much sharper. There’s still over a month to go.’
Olympic 1500m bronze medallist Georgia Hunter Bell won the women’s 800m yesterday, beating Jemma Reekie in a time of 1min 59.53sec.
She must now decide whether to run both the 800m — which would put her up against her training partner Keely Hodgkinson — and 1500m in Tokyo, or focus on only one of the events.
‘How cool would it be to follow in the footsteps of the great Britons like Seb Coe, Kelly Holmes and Steve Cram who doubled up and were successful?’ said Hunter Bell. ‘It’s hard to decide.’
Josh Kerr, who was already assured of his place in Tokyo as the world 1500m champion, stepped up in distance yesterday to win the men’s 5,000m.
