In her first ever senior championships final, Great Britain’s Amy Hunt won a brilliant silver in the women’s 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Friday (19).
The 23-year-old has long been one of the great hopes of British sprinting since winning gold at the 2019 European Athletics U20 Championships inn Boras, Sweden but injuries and her education paused her progress.
But on a still evening in the National Stadium, she finally began to fulfil her potential, summing up her post-race feeling by saying "you can be an academic badass and a track goddess".
Strong finish
Running from lane five, she was not among the leaders through the bend. But was still in contention into the home straight and the strong finish that she demonstrated through the rounds and in the 100m, again came to the fore.
She rolled through a class field and just edged past Jamaica’s twice champion Shericka Jackson for silver in 22.14. USA’s 100m champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden completed the sprint double, taking gold in a world-lead 21.68 with Jackson taking bronze in 22.18.
In her sixth successive world 200m final, 2019 champion Dina Asher-Smith finished fifth in 22.43.
In the men’s 200m, Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes was 5th in a season’s best 19.78. USA’s Noah Lyles won his fourth title in 19.52.
Badass and Goddess
"I didn't know what to do - cry or smile," said the silver medallist. "As soon as I saw my mum, I just burst into tears. I knew I could do it as long as I put together a really good turn and I was with them off the bend. I actually got out really strong. I never saw Marie (Ta-Lou Smith) on my inside.
"That is why I knew I had a really good turn because this girl is on fire. I had the best top end speed. I just need to give myself a chance, an opportunity. I did that in the semi-final as well, giving myself a lane where I was able to do my best. I beat some really amazing girls. I cannot believe I did it.
"There were moments before the race when I thought about my granddad. I knew he was watching over me. I have a tattoo of his name on my arm. I knew he was going to guide me. I was very promising athlete when I was younger. But then studying and injuries came.
"I had to back myself a lot to be here and I'm proud of myself for choosing the harder path. I could have chosen an easier way many times, but I chose to go to Cambridge (University) to get a degree. That is my message for young people - you don't have to give up education. You can be an academic badass and a track goddess. You can be the best in everything."