UK SPRINT queen Dina Asher-Smith made her intentions for 2023 clear when she won the 60m final at the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final in a time of 7.05.
On her way to the title at the Utilita Arena, Asher-Smith broke the British semi-final record and can now look forward to a positive season that will include the World Championships in Budapest in the summer.
The great Brit said after the race: “I’m very happy to have set a British record. I was aiming for sub-7s today, but it’s good and it’s good that I’m frustrated by running so fast. It bodes very well and everything went very well in practice, so I can’t complain.
“I think for me the interior is always about preparing myself for the exterior. I like performing in the major championships and I work from things like Budapest, things like Oregon last year, I work backwards and plan my season. It’s been so long since I’ve done it indoors properly, I thought we’d give it a try this year and I’m happy.
“I really enjoy racing here. We found out yesterday that I haven’t raced here since 2014 at the Birmingham Indoor, I’ve raced in Glasgow, I’ve raced in Sheffield, but I haven’t raced in Birmingham so it’s really nice to be back. It looks beautiful and I’m proud that we have such an amazing and warm crowd. I love racing at home and I have a lot of friends in the crowd so it means a lot.
60m runner-up Daryll Neita, who came home in 7:13, said: “If I’m honest I’m not particularly happy with that race, I didn’t execute my start but overall 7.13 is a good day’s work. I am happy with today.
“For me indoors it was just about sharpening my 60 and I just want to get closer to having good acceleration in my 100m run so I’m really excited and I think it looks good outdoors.
On the upcoming European Indoor Championships in Budapest early next month, the sprinter added: “I’m feeling in good shape so I’m really excited for next week.”