Dina Asher-Smith is back on top form after recent surprise relocation home to London following 18-month stint in Texas but the national record holder is refusing to divulge too many details
Dina Asher-Smith pipped Amy Hunt in a photofinish to win the 200m national title before revealing she has permanently relocated home to London.
Britain’s fastest woman clocked a championship record 22.14secs in blustery Birmingham and put her recent form down to home comforts after ending an 18-month stint in Texas under renowned coach Edrick Floreal.
Asher-Smith does not want any details of her current “support system” to be publicised until after next month’s World Championships for fear of it hurting her preparations.
But she did hint at being back in “an environment where I can have discussions” and “be happy, free and my fullest, most vibrant self.” She added: “I just want a nice, smooth path to Tokyo because I’m in great shape and know I can go there and perform really well.
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“I’m back in London and so grateful to have an incredible support system that I’ve had for so long. I need to be in an environment where I can have discussions and work hard through my races week on week. I think it’s really important to be in an environment that recognises that and fosters it.”
Asher-Smith has confirmed she will double in Japan and had a far clearer answer when asked if she feels in medal shape: ”Yes.”
While new 100m champ Hunt came just short of sealing a sprint double, Zharnel Hughes zoomed to a championship record 19.9secs in the men’s 200m to add to the gold he won comfortably on Saturday night.
Josh Kerr also proved a class above in the 5000m, pushing on with a kilometre to go after a pedestrian start.
And Georgia Hunter Bell sealed the 800m prize to confirm her option to compete over that and the 1500m in Tokyo.
But she will now not settle on a plan until after running 800m at Lausanne Diamond League, which is slated to be Keely Hodgkinson’s long-awaited return from injury, on August 20.
Asked if she can beat Olympic 800m champ Hodgkinson, who is also her training partner, Hunter Bell said: “I don’t know. We train together all the time. But she’s such a good athlete and it will be the first time we’ve raced where we’re kind of close.
“Whenever I have raced her before she’s been so far ahead. It will be interesting. The first match up will be in Lausanne. She’s definitely made me a better athlete. I’ve learned a lot from her. I still think she’s a league ahead, so we’ll see.”
