UK Athletics Championships 2024: Asher-Smith and Hudson-Smith claim 200m titles

Dina Asher-Smith claimed the women’s 200m title at the UK Athletics Championships and Olympic trials. GETTY IMAGES

There was high drama at the the UK Athletics Championships and Olympic Trials in a very rainy Manchester on Sunday. Dina Asher-Smith claimed the women’s 200m title with a time of 22.18 on 30 June. Daryll Nieta finished second at 22.46, and Amy Hunt took third with 22.78.

“It’s lovely to be back at home in front of a home crowd even though it is cold, wet and windy, it just feels good. And today’s performance was really good from me,” she told olympics.com. “In Texas right now it’s like 35, 38 degrees and you’re out there just training. So even if it’s just for one day, it’s nice not to be like, I’m going to pass out.”

The men’s 800m, 400m hurdles, and 3000m steeplechase were packed with drama. In the highly anticipated 800m, Ben Pattison seized victory in 1:45.49 as Elliot Giles and Josh Kerr fell in the final stretch. Max Burgin finished second at 1:46.01, and Finley Mclear, also affected by the fall, took third in 1:46.33.

With 80 metres to go in the men’s 800m, Elliot Giles and Josh Kerr collided after Giles drifted into Kerr’s path, causing both to fall. Ben Pattison seized the win in 1:45.49, while Max Burgin and Finley Mclear took second and third, respectively. Pattison aims for another global medal in Paris after winning bronze in Budapest, while Burgin, managing a sural nerve issue, hopes to compete in a few more races before the Games.

Ben Pattison seized victory in the men's 800m race in Manchester. GETTY IMAGES
Ben Pattison seized victory in the men’s 800m race in Manchester. GETTY IMAGES

With Mclear lacking the qualifying time for Paris, selectors now face a choice between Giles and Jake Wightman. Wightman, the top UK 800m runner this year, was exempt from the 1500m at these trials due to a minor calf injury.

In a dramatic 400m hurdles final, Alastair Chalmers secured victory with an Olympic qualifying time and championship record of 48.54, after a successful appeal against a false start disqualification. Initially disqualified due to a false start, caused by distracting music, Chalmers was allowed to run under protest. 

He raced to a championship record and Paris qualifying time, but Alex Knibbs was initially declared the winner with 49.37. Following a heated appeal process, Chalmers’s disqualification was overturned, and the crowd cheered the decision. Chalmers’ time also surpassed Ed Moses’ 1979 championship record.

Guernsey-born Alastair Chalmers won the men's 400m hurdles final. GETTY IMAGES
Guernsey-born Alastair Chalmers won the men’s 400m hurdles final. GETTY IMAGES

Phil Norman missed the Olympic standard of 8:18.50 by just 0.15 seconds in the 3000m steeplechase, finishing in 8:18.65. Despite setting a new championship record of 8:22.22 and achieving the fastest time by a British steeplechaser since 1992, Norman, disheartened by years of being overlooked by selectors, suggested this might be his final serious race.

In a competitive race with Olympic hopes on the line, Will Battersill finished second in 8:21.83, Zak Seddon took third in 8:27.32, and Mark Pearce was fourth in 8:33.57. Neil Gourley won the 1500m in 3:37.67, outkicking George Mills, with Adam Fogg third. Gourley’s victory earned him a spot on the Paris 2024 team alongside Mills and reigning world champion Josh Kerr.

Matthew Hudson-Smith continued his stellar season by winning the men’s 200m in a personal best of 20.34, ahead of Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (20.55) and Michael Ohioze (20.68). The European 400m record-holder used the 200m race to refine his finishing speed for a potential standout performance in Paris next month.

Matthew Hudson-Smith continued his stellar season by winning the men’s 200m. GETTY IMAGES
Matthew Hudson-Smith continued his stellar season by winning the men’s 200m. GETTY IMAGES

As 17-year-old Phoebe Gill impressed in the women’s 800m, Daniel Goriola showcased his talent by winning the 110m hurdles, becoming the first under-20 athlete to claim this title since Colin Jackson.

James West defended his men’s 5000m title with a slow-winning time of 13:43.62, outkicking Patrick Dever in the home stretch. Jack Rowe finished third and Scott Beattie was fourth. Joe Dunderdale claimed his first UK javelin title in seven years with a throw of 75.06m, while Ben East was runner-up with 74.16m.

UK pole vault record-holder Harry Coppell, who has competed infrequently since 2022, made a strong return with a 5.40m win in Manchester, surpassing Owen Heard’s 5.25m.



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