Dina Asher-Smith searches for answers after mystery issue sabotages medal hopes
Dina Asher-Smith revealed a mystery neurological issue had wrecked her World Championships - but vowed to hit back at the Paris Olympics.
Four years after being crowned champion over 200 metres and winning silver in the 100, she drew a complete blank here in Hungary.
It was no disgrace to lose out last night to Shericka Jackson, the Jamaican who won in 21.41 seconds, the second fastest time in history. But Britain’s fastest woman was upset and bewildered to finish last but one in 22.34 on an evening in which US sprint king Noah Lyles became the first man since Usain Bolt to complete the World double.
“I’m frustrated, it’s not what I was expecting,” she said, after trailing in behind fast-improving team mate Daryll Neita, who ran her second lifetime best (22.16) in two days.
“Coming in I was in incredible shape and I just literally took a knock in the 100 (semi-finals). I was going great then I couldn't feel anything below my waist.
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"Neurally I kind of did something. I was able to go and run the final because I wasn't in pain. But neurally I didn't have any control. I was still dealing with that. I'm grateful to have got through it all in one piece."
Noah Lyles was a class apart retaining his 200m title and completing the first male world sprint double since Usain Bolt in 2015 (Getty Images)Asher-Smith insists the setback will only fire her up for the Olympics, saying: “Pushing into Paris I can be very much on top of the podium”.
Lyles is a safer bet despite falling short of his outrageous prediction that he would run 19.10 and break Bolt’s 14-year old world record.
But his time of 19.51 was easily good enough for a third straight world title over the distance and, in so doing, he emulated Bolt’s 2015 double in Beijing.
Shericka Jackson clocks second fastest 200m in history to take world gold. Daryll Neita (2nd right) was thrilled with a PB but Asher-Smith (right) cut a frustrated figure (AFP via Getty Images)“I wanted to show I am different and today I came out and showed it. I am double champion.
“Usain Bolt has done it, and him saying to me that he sees what I am doing and he respects it, is amazing.”
Zharnel Hughes (20.02) finished fourth, missing out on Britain’s first male sprint medal double at a Worlds.
Keely Hodgkinson on her way to semi-final victory (Marcus Brandt/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)The nation's last golden hope is Keely Hodgkinson who says she is gunning for revenge in tomorrow’s 800m final.
The Wigan warrior ran a commanding semi-final to win in 1:58.48 - matching the time set by Commonwealth champion Mary Moraa in a later heat.
She then set her sights on Moraa and reigning champion Athing Mu, who narrowly avoided being tripped out of the competition after being clipped in her semi-final.
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Hodgkinson is out for revenge after second place finishes in the Olympics, Worlds and Commonwealths (Getty Images)Asked if she owed them both, she replied: “Yeah, I do and I am relishing the competition.”
Britain won through to tonight’s two 4 x 100m relay finals but the men were only seventh fastest and the women fifth.
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