Hughes completes sprint double, Asher-Smith clings on to claim 200m crown at British Championships

Zharnel Hughes cemented his status as Britain’s premier sprinter on Sunday, completing the sprint double at the British National Athletics Championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham with a commanding victory in the men’s 200m final. The 30-year-old, who trains in Jamaica at the Racers Track Club alongside Jamaican star Oblique Seville, stormed to victory in a championship record 19.90 seconds, adding to the 100m title he claimed on Saturday.

Hughes, representing Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, finished well clear of Jona Efoloko of Sale Harriers Manchester, who ran a personal best 20.42 for silver, while Ethan Wiltshire of Newham & Essex Beagles also clocked a personal best 20.51 for bronze.

On Saturday, Hughes had opened his campaign with an assured 9.94 to win the 100m final, edging Cardiff AC’s Jeremiah Azu (9.97) and Louie Hinchliffe of City of Sheffield & Dearne AC (10.01).

In the women’s 200m, Dina Asher-Smith clung on to claim the title in a championship record 22.14, narrowly holding off a fast-finishing Amy Hunt, who matched the winning time but was awarded silver in a photo finish. Daryll Neita took bronze in a season’s best 22.30.

Hunt, 23, had taken the women’s 100m crown on Saturday in a personal best 11.02, ahead of Desiree Henry (11.32) and Faith Akinbileje (11.34).

In other finals on Sunday, Amber Anning captured the women’s 400m title in 50.53, holding off former world champion Victoria Ohuruogu, who clocked a season’s best 50.79, with Yemi Mary John third in 50.84.

Hughes’ dominant double further underlines his readiness for the international season, with his training base in Kingston continuing to provide a winning edge.

Photos: Flotrack