Brit duo primed for sprint showdown

DINA ASHER-SMITH and Daryll Neita are confident they can challenge for a medal in Monday morning’s 100m final. Asher-Smith clocked a wind-assisted 10.87 behind Neita’s 10.80 at the British Championships last month, but the reigning world 200m champion says that isn’t a reflection of her ability. ‘That wasn’t my body,’ said Asher-Smith. ‘I don’t really want to go through it too much, but it’s been a rough few months. I don’t like losing so I wasn’t happy to lose trials, but Daryll has really improved.’

However, she feels in much better shape now ahead of her showdown with the world’s fastest women, saying: ‘I’m really excited, I’m going in injury- free.’ Asher-Smith won 100m silver at the last World Championships in 2019 and in doing so lowered the British record to 10.83.

The 26-year-old will likely need another British record to trouble the trio of formidable Jamaicans in Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.

All three have broken 10.80 this season, with Fraser-Pryce the fastest with a hugely impressive 10.67. Asher-Smith was asked about how it feels to be competing in a golden era of women’s sprinting, and said: ‘Maybe in like 10 to 20 years, it will be easier, but when you’re in that, you’re just staying focused and making sure you’re pushing yourself.’ Neita, who came eighth in the Olympic 100m final last year, is confident and said: ‘We can challenge the world. I feel like I’m finally in a place where I can just train and my head’s clear.’

The final takes place at 3.50am on Monday morning.