by Stuart Weir
Zharnel Hughes, photo by PhotoRun.net
Dina Asher-Smith, photo by PhotoRun.net
British Sprinting is in a good place. Dina Asher-Smith won the women’s 100m. Imani Lansiquot, in her first championship ran11.14 for sixth place in the final, only 4 thousandths of a second from fifth. The British girls took silver in London 2017 and bronze in Rio.
British 4x 100m relay, gold medalist, London 2017, photo by PhotoRun.net
The men’s sprint relay team are world champions, having taken gold at the London World Championships. CJ Ujah won the Diamond League final in 2017.
So tonight when Britain came first, second and fourth in the men’s 100m, I was actually disappointed that we missed the clean sweep. Zharnel Hughes won in 9.95 and Reece Prescod was second in 9.96. Jak Ali Harvey (Turkey) was third in 10.01 with CJ Ujah fourth in 10.06. The only disappointment in the final was that Jimmy Vicaut (France), the only man to go sub 10 in the semi-finals (9.97), was unable to run in the final.
The three British runners said afterwards:
Zharnel Hughes “That’s the high point definitely, it sets me up nicely going in to the world championship, next year, so I just need to focus and continue putting in the work and trust and believe in my team and myself and leave the rest to God. I remember having my interview with you all and I told you I just needed to be relaxed and I’m really happy with tonight. We British guys need to give our very best and we did that – Dina did her thing as well, in the 100m congratulations to he”r.
Reece Prescod “To be honest I can’t really complain. It was a personal best and the first time dipping under ten seconds legally. I am really happy about that. It was a national under-23 record as well and I am happy to come out and get my first sub ten clocking. I feel I got a better start in the final which I am happy about.
“I woke up to become a European champion, that was my aim for these champs, to come so close and get a silver medal, I can’t complain. It is my second senior championships. I was a world finalist last year and now I am European silver medallist it puts me in good stead for the world’s next year. I will live in the moment use this as fuel for my next competition”.
CJ Ujah: “It is an unlucky place to finish but credit to everyone. You get one opportunity and those guys medalled. I didn’t make it onto the podium today but there are positives to take. It is a season’s best. I can’t complain. I have had a turbulent season, ups and downs and getting back to 10.0 shape hopefully means I can get lower. It is a good sign”.
British sprinting is alive and well!
A championship record to close the night!@zharnel_hughes completed a British double in the 100m at the European Championships, winning in 9.95 by 0.01 ahead of teammate Reece Prescod.#EC2018 #TheMoment pic.twitter.com/Mbm4qDDVBN
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 7, 2018
