Amy Hunt successfully defended her British 100m crown at the UK Championships in Birmingham, clocking 11.01 seconds to overhaul rival Dina Asher-Smith. The victory continues a back-and-forth rivalry between the two sprinters, with Hunt now holding the edge in their latest encounter.
Race Details and Season's Best
Hunt, 24, rode a helpful tailwind to catch the fast-starting Asher-Smith, who finished second in a season's best 11.13 seconds. Hunt broke the 11-second barrier for the first time earlier this month and will now target the European title 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?” Hunt said. “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.”
Rivalry with Asher-Smith
Hunt acknowledged the significance of her rivalry with Asher-Smith, who still holds British records over all three sprint distances. “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,” Hunt said.
The pair have traded victories over the past two years: Hunt won her first British 100m title last year in Asher-Smith's absence, then lost the 200m crown to her when they clocked identical times. Hunt later took 200m silver ahead of Asher-Smith, who responded with the British 60m title earlier this year.
Romell Glave Wins Men's 100m
Romell Glave claimed his first British 100m title with a personal best of 9.98 seconds, dipping under 10 seconds legally for the first time. The 26-year-old, born and raised in Jamaica before moving to south London at 16, had earlier run 9.88 and 9.90 with illegally strong tailwinds this season.
“I knew the talent was there, the potential was there, but I had to believe it, because through adversity this was my calling,” Glave 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.”
Glave recovered from a career-threatening fractured back to win bronze at the 2024 European Championships. In a tight finish, British record holder Zharnel Hughes took silver in 10.01 seconds, and former British champion Louie Hinchliffe claimed bronze in 10.03 seconds.
Upcoming Events at UK Championships
The second day of the UK Championships features 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, as did Jake Wightman and Georgia Hunter Bell in the 800m.
