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 new championship record of 22.14 seconds in windy Birmingham, attributing her recent success to the comfort of being back home after spending 18 months in Texas training with renowned coach Edrick Floreal.
Asher-Smith has chosen to keep her current support network private until after the upcoming World Championships to maintain focus on her preparation. She expressed contentment with being in an environment that allows open discussions and enables her to feel happy and perform at her best.
Confirming her decision to compete in both the 100m and 200m events in Japan, Asher-Smith confidently stated that she feels ready to contend for a medal.
Meanwhile, Zharnel Hughes set a new championship record of 19.9 seconds in the men’s 200m, adding to his earlier gold medal win. Josh Kerr dominated the 5000m race with a strong finish, while Georgia Hunter Bell secured victory in the 800m event, confirming her intention to participate in both the 800m and 1500m races at the Tokyo Olympics.
Hunter Bell plans to finalize her competition strategy after the 800m event at the Lausanne Diamond League, which will also mark Keely Hodgkinson’s return from injury on August 20. When asked about racing against Hodgkinson, Hunter Bell acknowledged her training partner’s skill but remained optimistic about the matchup, acknowledging Hodgkinson’s impact on her own development as an athlete.
Overall, the national championships showcased impressive performances from top athletes, setting the stage for exciting competitions ahead.