Guernsey Press

Dina Asher-Smith clinches 200m gold in Doha

Asher-Smith won gold in the 200m at the World Championships in Doha.

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Dina Asher-Smith clinched a historic gold medal after powering to 200m victory at the World Championships.

The 23-year-old became the first British woman to win an individual world sprint title.

She clocked 21.88 seconds to set a new national record and is also just the seventh British woman to claim world gold.

After the race, Asher-Smith said: “I know I was tired and woke up today knowing this was the last individual chance and this was the moment I did all my work for. This is what we knew we could achieve if the season went well and the tiredness just disappeared when I needed it to.

“It means so much. There’s so many British fans here and I know lots of Brits live in Doha but lots have travelled and for my mum to be here, my dad, John and his wife and my physios – it means so much.

“Normally I’m quite chatty and full of energy but it’s a different thing with everyone saying you’re the favourite but it’s a different thing going and doing it.

“You’re only the favourite if you go out and perform how people expect you to and I was really focused on putting together a good race. I dreamt of this but now it’s real.”

She joins Fatima Whitbread, Liz McColgan, Sally Gunnell, Paula Radcliffe, Christine Ohuruogu and Jessica Ennis-Hill in having won individual world gold for Great Britain.

Earlier, Laura Muir safely qualified for Thursday’s 1500m semi-final after her return from injury.

The 26-year-old was running her first competitive race since tearing a calf muscle at the Anniversary Games in London in July.

IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019 – Day Six – Khalifa International Stadium
Laura Muir qualified after finishing third in her heat (Martin Rickett/PA)

The America was given a four-year ban on Tuesday by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after being found guilty of doping violations.

Salazar runs the Nike Oregon Project and was stripped of his accreditation so could not have any contact with his athletes but Muir chose to ignore the controversy.

“All I can do I focus on myself, that’s all I’m in control of. I love the sport for what it is, I love to run and compete,” she said.

“No matter what the circumstances I’m going to race. Whoever is there is up to other people.

“At this point all I can do is focus on myself, that’s all I’m in control of. I’m the only person I can speak for and vouch for.”

On her fitness Muir added: “It was a pretty good feeling, I was quite nervous before the race.

IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019 – Day Six – Khalifa International Stadium
Sarah McDonald is also safely through to the final (Mike Egerton/PA)

Sarah McDonald joined her in the final but there was disappointment for Tim Duckworth who pulled out of the decathlon after an injury in the warm up.

Reigning World Indoor 60m champion Andy Pozzi failed to progress to the 110m hurdles final but Eilish McColgan and Laura Weightman reached the 5000m final.

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