by Stuart Weir
Dina Asher-Smith (this pic is 2018 European Champs), photo by Getty/Berlin2018
In each DL event in 2018, Stuart Weir did 5-10 pieces a meet. He also wrote about our friends across the pond, in each and every meeting. I have watched the amazing evolution in UK athletics. Some fine athletes and some fine athletes in the future. Dina Asher-Smith continues her rise in athletics, after winning the 100m/200m in Berlin back in 2018. In Doha, Dina ran a WL 22.26!
Here’s Stuart Weir’s piece on Brits in Doha.
Brits in Doha
The stand-out performance was by Dina Asher-Smith who ran a world-lead 22.26. She has only run faster than that three times previously. The time is the more remarkable when you realize it is only her second race of the year, the other being a leg of a 4 by 400 relay for her club. She was surprised and delighted with the time, saying: “I was really happy. I didn’t expect that time so early in the season. It was good, really, really good. It’s always my aim to get out well and maintain my form. My coach told me to get out well and run my race and I am happy to have done that. Early in the season when you’re not quite race sharp, it is easy to get off plan and be distracted by the crowd but I was happy with how it went today”.
Dina Asher-Smith, photo by Getty/Berlin2018
Sadly Shannon Hylton, a training partner of Dina’s, was disqualified for a false start, an unsatisfactory end to a rare invitation to run in a Diamond League.
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake was sixth in the 200m in 20.83,time he described as: “very poor but that’s where I am right now. I just have to keep moving forward”. He will be running for GB in the World Relays next week.
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, photo by Getty Images/Berlin 2018
Charlie Myers was sixth in the pole-vault with 5.46 with places 4 to 7 separated only on countback.
Lynsey Sharp ran 2:01.51 for ninth place in the 800m. Not what she was looking for but having changed coaches – from Terrence Mahon to David Harmer – and running her first outdoor race of the season, she accepted the outcome.
Meghan Beesley was sixth in the 400m hurdles in 56:01, of which she said: “The first race of the season was always going to be a bit messy. It could have been better but I suppose it could have been worse. My time was 0.01 seconds off the world championship qualifying time – so close but hey-ho next time”.
In the long-jump, Lorraine Ugen was fourth with 6:62 and Shara Proctor eighth with 6:35.
