Dina Asher-Smith narrowly edged out Amy Hunt in a close finish to secure the 200m national title and disclosed that she has permanently relocated to London.
The fastest female sprinter in Britain achieved a championship record time of 22.14 seconds in windy conditions in Birmingham, attributing her recent success to the familiar surroundings of her home after returning from an 18-month training period in Texas 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. However, she hinted at being back in an environment that allows her to engage in discussions and feel happy and free, emphasizing the importance of being in a supportive setting for optimal performance.
Expressing gratitude for her longstanding support system in London, Asher-Smith confirmed her intention to compete in both the 100m and 200m events at the upcoming Tokyo Games, confidently stating that she feels ready to contend for a medal.
In other events, 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 by accelerating in the final kilometer, while Georgia Hunter Bell claimed victory in the 800m, solidifying her decision to participate in both the 800m and 1500m races in Tokyo.
Hunter Bell will finalize her competition strategy after the 800m event at the Lausanne Diamond League, where she is set to face her training partner and Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, whom she acknowledges as a formidable athlete. Despite viewing Hodgkinson as a superior competitor, Hunter Bell anticipates a competitive race and values the learning experience gained from training alongside her.
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