Great Britain’s Relay Dominance
Great Britain‘s 4x100m relay teams delivered strong performances at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, securing gold medals in both the women’s and men’s events. The women’s quartet, featuring Amy Hunt, Dina Asher-Smith, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, and Success Eduan, finished in 42.05 seconds, significantly ahead of Switzerland (43.12) and Poland (43.15). Hunt described her teammates as “superwomen” and highlighted the privilege of racing alongside them.
Just 15 minutes prior, the men’s team, comprising Jeremiah Azu, Louie Hinchliffe, Zharnel Hughes, and Romell Glave, also claimed gold, completing their race in 38.45 seconds. They outpaced Germany (38.64) and Belgium (38.70). Hughes, a 200m silver medallist, safely guided the baton before handing off to Glave for the final leg. These two relay victories brought Great Britain’s medal count to 12, including six gold medals, as the host nation pursued table-topping Italy.
Individual Achievements and Records
Amy Hunt secured her third gold medal of the championships, following earlier triumphs in the 100m and 200m events. She is now set to attempt to become the first athlete in the event’s 92-year history to win four gold medals at a single edition when the mixed 4x100m relay takes place. Hunt, a Cambridge University graduate, previously earned a breakthrough individual global medal with world silver in Tokyo last year.
Dina Asher-Smith made history by earning her seventh gold medal at the championships, a decade after her first. This achievement places her alongside Norway‘s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Croatian discus thrower Sandra Elkasevic in the record books for the most gold medals. Asher-Smith, a world champion over 200m and a British record holder in both sprint distances, has accumulated 22 senior international medals since her debut in the women’s 4x100m squad at the 2013 World Championships. She also equalled Polish sprinter Irena Szewinska‘s overall record of 10 medals at the championships, following her 200m bronze medal on Thursday.
Zharnel Hughes’s gold medal marked his fifth European gold, bringing him level with Matthew Hudson-Smith, Mo Farah, and Roger Black as the most successful British men at the championships. The seamless baton changeover from Asher-Smith to Hunt was noted as a symbolic moment, highlighting both Asher-Smith’s established career and Hunt’s rising prominence in British sprinting.
Other Notable Performances
In other events, Great Britain’s 40-year wait for a men’s 1500m title continued. Despite leading on the final bend, Jake Wightman faded to sixth (3:37.18), while teammates Jake Heyward (3:36.40) and Arlo Ludewick (3:36.65) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, just missing out on medals. The gold in this event was won by Stefan Nillessen of the Netherlands in 3 minutes 35.70 seconds, with Sweden‘s Samuel Pihlstrom and Ireland‘s Andrew Coscoran taking silver and bronze.
In the heptathlon, Katarina Johnson-Thompson finished 21st overall, and British teammate Jade O’Dowda placed 13th. Ireland‘s Kate O’Connor secured European gold, adding to her Commonwealth title. There was disappointment for 2025 world indoor champion Amber Anning, who withdrew from the women’s 400m final due to an injury sustained during her warm-up. Yemi Mary John finished fifth in 51.12 seconds, while Norway‘s Henriette Jaeger claimed victory in 49.04 seconds.
In the women’s high jump final, Morgan Lake cleared 1.88 metres for eighth place. The event was won by Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine, who achieved a first-time clearance over 1.97m. Andy Diaz of Italy won the men’s triple jump with an effort of 18.15m, with Pedro Pichardo of Portugal taking silver at 17.76m and Italy‘s Andrea Dallavalle securing bronze with 17.37m.
The championships continue with the mixed 4x100m relay on Sunday.
Source: bbc.co.uk
