GOLDEN GIRL Dina Asher-Smith became a British sporting legend and made it a Magnificent Seven.
The fastest woman Britain has ever produced spectacularly delivered on the global stage by storming to a thrilling 200m victory at the IAAF World Athletics Championship in Doha.
Dina Asher-Smith became Britain’s Golden Girl with a stunning 200m victory in DohaCredit: Reuters
Just days after winning 100m silver in Doha, the Londoner brilliantly upgraded her status to gold with a blistering national record of 21.88 seconds.
Asher-Smith said: “Normally I’m so chatty and full of energy, but I’m lost for words.
“Everyone said: ‘You are the favourite.’ But you still have to go and do it and you have to perform. I was focused on that.
“I have dreamt of this and now it’s real!”
The 23-year-old underlined her status as the pre-race favourite and delivered the goods at world level, running a national record time of 21.88 seconds.
American Brittany Brown (22.22sec) and Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji (22.51sec) were left trailing in the wake of her supersonic spikes.
Asher-Smith is only the SEVENTH British woman in the 36 years of this competition to win a world outdoors title.
Her name will now take pride of place alongside javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread, long-distance runners Liz McColgan and Paul Radcliffe, 400m hurdler Sally Gunnell, 400m star Christine Ohuruogu and heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Popular Darren Campbell, an excellent judge of athlete and character, is backing her to become the UK’s greatest sprinter when she retires.
And who would argue with that after watching the 23-year-old come of age in the desert?
At a time when the reputation of athletics is getting properly beaten and kicked – and rightly so – for its drugs cheats and falling popularity, here is a champion to be proud of in the post Usain Bolt era.
Here is a woman who represents the very best of track-and-field – the beaming smile, the bubbly personality, the mouth that talks as fast as the legs run.
Asher-Smith set a British record as she stormed home in just 21.88secsCredit: Reuters
Okay, perhaps it is churlish to make the point, particularly in this moment of jubilation, that several top stars were missing from this final.
Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou – the 100m world gold and bronze medallists – had pulled out before the heats began with fatigue.
Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers, the reigning 200m world champion, has an adductor injury and was never involved.
The dangerous Nigerian Blessing Okagbare was disqualified from heat five.
Jamaican Olympic champion Elaine Thompson withdrew before the semi-final.
And Bahamas runner Shaunae Miller-Uibo, by far the best 200m runner this year, had decided weeks earlier that she would concentrate on the 400m and not double-up.
Of course, all these six runners could be in prime form and fitness come the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Put them and Asher-Smith all together on the start line of an Olympic final and the outcome would be far from known. It would be a stellar field.
Dina Asher-Smith cries in interview after winning 200m gold at the World Athletics Championships in Doha
The sprint star fell to her knees after an incredible performance in DohaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Yet it’s fair to say the confidence this breakthrough global title will bring for Asher-Smith, regardless of the notable absentees, will surely propel her on the 10-month road to Japan.
As it stands, Asher-Smith is single-handedly carrying the flag with distinction for this failing British squad.
If only the others could follow her lead.
Unlike Asher-Smith, too many of her fellow countrymen and women are failing to make an impact at world level.
Too few are even making the final.
Last night, it was the turn of hurdler Andrew Pozzi, ranked seventh in the world, who left the half-empty Khalifa International stadium feeling frustrated.
Pozzi, 27, failed to make the eight-man 110m hurdles, and joins a list of those teammates who have not justified their standings.
Emotional moment as Dina Asher Smith sees her mum after winning 200m gold at the World Athletics Championships
Asher-Smith is just the seventh British woman to win outdoorsCredit: Reuters
Elsewhere, Rabab Yousif and Meghan Beesley bombed out of the 400m and 400m hurdles semi-finals respectively.
These under-achievements certainly put what Asher-Smith did in the sprints into broader context.
She is now truly the face of British Athletics.
Next summer at the Olympics she could become a superstar.
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
