Dina Asher-Smith delivered a stunning performance to win the 200m title at the UK Athletics Championships, clocking a championship-best 22.14 seconds. The time, aided by a 1.9m/s tailwind, was enough to edge out Amy Hunt, who had won the 100m title the previous day. Though both athletes recorded the same time, Asher-Smith was awarded the gold after a dramatic photo finish.
The victory marked a powerful comeback for Asher-Smith, who made a sudden mid-season decision to return to London from Texas, where she had been training under coach Edrick Floréal. Though she remained tight-lipped about the reasons behind the move, she noted that her new environment allows her to be her “fullest, most vibrant self” a mindset that appears to be translating into top form on the track. Her two most recent outings second to Julien Alfred at the London Diamond League and Sunday’s record win have proven she’s back in serious contention ahead of the Tokyo World Championships.
On the men’s side, Zharnel Hughes produced an equally electrifying performance in the 200m final, storming to victory in a championship-record time of 19.90 seconds. That performance added to his 100m crown, secured a day earlier, underlining his dominance in British sprinting and boosting expectations ahead of global competition.
Elsewhere, Georgia Hunter Bell secured the women’s 800m title in 1:59.53, placing her in a strategic dilemma ahead of Tokyo whether to double up with the 1500m or focus solely on the shorter distance. She acknowledged her stronger form in the 800m, but the 1500m’s early scheduling poses a challenge due to potential fatigue across rounds. Her decision must be made before the British team is officially named later this month.
Other standout performances included Josh Kerr, the reigning world 1500m champion, comfortably winning the 5,000m title. Amber Anning and Charlie Dobson triumphed in the 400m events, while Max Burgin led from the front to win the men’s 800m. Morgan Lake soared to high jump victory, and Jazmin Sawyers made a strong statement in her return from injury with a win in the long jump.
The championships showcased a depth of British talent, many of whom are shaping up as strong contenders for medals in Tokyo.
