Amy Hunt successfully defended her British 100m title at the UK Championships in Birmingham, clocking 11.01 seconds to overhaul rival Dina Asher-Smith. Asher-Smith, the British record holder, finished second in a season's best 11.13 seconds. The victory marks another chapter in their closely contested rivalry, which has seen both athletes trade titles over the past two years.
Hunt's Dominance and European Ambitions
Hunt, 24, who broke the 11-second barrier for the first time earlier this month, emphasized the importance of winning her national trials ahead of the European Championships, also to be held in Birmingham this summer. "One of the things I said to myself today was that if I can’t win my own national trials then how am I expecting to win gold at Europeans?" she stated. "I really wanted to come here and put a statement out to all the other European girls and the British girls that I’m here, and I’m a force to be reckoned with."
Reflecting on her rivalry with Asher-Smith, Hunt said: "It’s so great. It shows that our national championships are one of the best in the world. Dina is one of the fastest athletes on the circuit, so I know when I come here I have to bring my A game. It’s been a really good one to get the victory." Asher-Smith still holds British records over 100m, 200m, and 60m.
Romell Glave Wins First British 100m Title
In the men's 100m, Romell Glave claimed his first British title with a personal best of 9.98 seconds, legally dipping under 10 seconds for the first time. The 26-year-old, born in Jamaica and raised in south London, had previously run 9.88 and 9.90 with illegally strong tailwinds this season. British record holder Zharnel Hughes took silver in 10.01, and former champion Louie Hinchliffe bronze in 10.03.
Glave described the victory as "a long time coming," noting his journey from a career-threatening fractured back to winning bronze at the 2024 European Championships. "I knew the talent was there, the potential was there, but I had to believe it, because through adversity this was my calling," he said. "Thanks to my support staff, my coach, they have been there for me through the ups and downs. They helped me to have that belief."
He added: "This season has been a big change in my mental mindset, taking each day by day, and when it matters, I just shot. I’m running with freedom, because once you run with freedom, you’re more dangerous. Don’t be too respectful of the field. You give them respect, but you don’t give them too much. You have to be a bit nonchalant, which is what I did today. The mission now is to go to Europeans and strive for gold."
Other Finals and Notable Performances
The second day of the UK Championships features several finals, including the women's 400m, where Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson is using the weekend as a speed workout. Hodgkinson advanced fifth fastest from the heats, while British record holder Amber Anning led the qualifiers. Olympic 400m silver medallist Matt Hudson-Smith qualified fastest for his one-lap final, and Jake Wightman and Georgia Hunter Bell did likewise in the 800m.
