Birmingham: Amy Hunt secures 200m gold, Dina Asher-Smith claims bronze
Hunt achieves second gold in Birmingham
Amy Hunt secured her second gold medal at the European Championships, triumphing in the 200m final in Birmingham. Her victory marks a significant achievement as she aims for a historic quadruple of gold medals at the competition. Hunt, who previously won the 100m on Monday, recorded a season’s best time of 22.19 seconds in the 200m final on Thursday.
The 24-year-old sprinter demonstrated a strong finish, overtaking compatriot Dina Asher-Smith in the final stretch to cross the finish line first. Following her win, Hunt expressed her excitement, stating, “Two out of four, baby! This is becoming a magical week and one I will remember for the rest of my life.” She is scheduled to compete in both the women’s and mixed 4x100m relay events, postponing any celebrations until Sunday night.
Hunt’s performance was particularly notable given her earlier struggles in the 200m event this summer. She had spoken of a “renewal of our vows” with the event, delivering a composed race that saw her power through the final 40m. Three-time world heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill praised Hunt’s run, noting that she “came off that bend like a train.”
The atmosphere at Alexander Stadium was electric, with 20,082 fans in attendance, marking the largest crowd of the championships so far. Hunt received a significant cheer upon her introduction in lane seven. Former men’s 1500m world champion Steve Cram commented on Hunt’s comprehensive abilities, stating, “Amy has it all. The speed, the endurance, the confidence, and now the double.”
Asher-Smith secures bronze amidst strong competition
Dina Asher-Smith claimed the bronze medal in the 200m final, securing her ninth European Championships medal. She was narrowly beaten to silver by Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland by just 0.01 seconds, with Adeleke setting a new national record of 22.28 seconds. Asher-Smith, a two-time European 200m silver medallist, started strongly but was unable to maintain her lead against Hunt and Adeleke.
Despite her disappointment at not securing a higher-placed medal, Asher-Smith reflected on her consistent performance over the years. She noted, “I’m disappointed to have a bronze, but I think 10 years after my first one it is such an achievement to be in a place to come back year after year.” The 30-year-old, who previously won European 200m gold in 2016 and 2018, aims to continue being one of the fastest women globally.
Before the race, there were expectations of a British one-two-three finish, with Asher-Smith, Hunt, and Eduan holding the three fastest times in Europe this year. However, Eduan, who had previously beaten Hunt to win her first British title in June, finished sixth in the final with a time of 22.66 seconds.
Asher-Smith’s nine European medals place her among the most decorated athletes in the championships’ history, a tally only surpassed by the 10 medals of Polish ex-sprinter Irena Szewinska. Her participation in both relay events could potentially see her further add to her medal count.
British sprint dominance continues
Hunt’s second sprint gold further solidifies Britain’s strong performance in the sprint events at the championships. This follows the men’s 100m race where Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu secured a one-two finish. Additionally, Matthew Hudson-Smith achieved victory in the 400m on Wednesday, contributing to the nation’s success.
The 200m final was a highly anticipated event, with Hunt revealing that she battled through a fear of fainting, a health issue she has experienced after 200m races this year due to low blood pressure. She described the 100m as mentally challenging and the 200m as physically demanding, highlighting the bravery required for her performance.
The possibility of a quadruple gold for Hunt is unprecedented for a British athlete at the European Championships, with the addition of a mixed 4×100 relay alongside the women’s-only edition. Hunt expressed deep emotion about her achievements, particularly performing close to her home in Birmingham and managing the pressure of high expectations.
In other events at the championships, Switzerland’s Angelica Moser secured gold in the women’s pole vault, retaining her European title. Germany’s Neugebauer also claimed gold in the men’s decathlon. Mark English won Ireland’s first individual men’s gold medal at the European Championships, finishing first in the 800m, adding to the evening’s notable performances on Thursday.
Source: bbc.co.uk
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
