MANCHESTER, UK — Sprinters Zharnel Hughes and Daryll Neita dominated the men’s and women’s 200m races at the 2023 British Athletics Championships with a pair of blistering times, while setting the stage for a potentially stunning performance at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest later this year.
Hughes, the current British 100m record holder and world leader with a time of 9.83 seconds, clinched the 100m title in lashing rain on Saturday with an impressive 10.03 seconds. He further demonstrated his outstanding form this season, capturing the men’s 200m final and clocking in at 19.77 seconds (+2.3 m/s) to blow away his rivals and sealed the national sprint double.
Zharnel Hughes Delighted With Home Soil Performance
Hughes, who trains in Jamaica with sprint guru coach Glen Mills, said after the race that he is enjoying himself and it makes his performances much sweeter. He also revealed that he’s still working on some things to execute his races much better.
“I am just grateful to come out here today and to give the performance that I know I can give,” he said during his interview with BBC Sport. “I am happy to do it here on home soil.”
He added: “The work continues. I am working on little bits that I am trying fix and today was one of those days where I’m going through the phases and execute the race the way I wish it to.”
Zharnel Hughes holds four European golds, including individual titles in the 100m (2018) and 200m (2022).
“The best is yet to come, dropping these times is great,” He added.
Finishing behind the 27-year-old in the men’s 200m final today were Joe Ferguson and Jona Efoloko. Ferguson trailed Hughes home at a distant second place in a time of 20.43 seconds and Efoloko was third with 20.45 seconds, respectively. Adam Gemili, a seasoned sprinter, finished fourth with a time of 20.53 seconds.
Daryll Neita Blasts To Championship Record Time
On the women’s side, Daryll Neita, the back-to-back national champion, stole the show. the 26-year-old won the women’s 200m final with a Championship Record (CR) time of 22.25 seconds, dominating her closing challenger by 0.34 seconds today.
Read More: Zharnel Hughes, Dina Asher-Smith win British Athletics Championships 100m titles in wet conditions
Neita, the 100m European bronze medalist in 2022 and 60m European Indoor bronze medal winner in 2023, has expressed her ambition to “shock the world” at the World Athletics Championships in August.
“This is an amazing run and it feels amazing just to being in front of the home crowd and being in this great shape,” she said, after breaking Beth Dobbin’s championships record of 22.59secs, set in 2018.
Looking ahead to the World Athletics Championships, she added: “I feel like anything is possible and I think I’ve shown that I am in a great place and I just believe that I am going to shock the world in Budapest.”
Following Neita home in the women’s 200m final at the 2023 British Athletics Championships were seasoned campaigner Bianca Williams and 2017 European U23 champion Finette Agyapong, who finished second and third with times of 22.59 and 22.69 seconds, respectively. Agyapong’s time was a personal best for her.
Cassie-Ann Pemberton, a rising star, finished fourth with a personal best of 22.79 seconds.
