Amy Hunt proved herself a force to be reckoned with at the UK Championships in Birmingham, retaining her British 100m crown by storming past rival Dina Asher-Smith in what was always going to be an electric contest. Hunt's victory margin wasn't just down to her impressive speed – 11.01 seconds in no small feat – but also a generous tailwind that helped propel her over the line, as she left Asher-Smith to settle for silver with a season's best time of 11.13 seconds.
The 24-year-old's win marked another seismic moment in the ongoing battle between these two British sprinters, who've been pushing each other to new heights all season long. Hunt's triumphant expression after crossing the line spoke volumes about her determination – and she made it clear that she intends to use this victory as a springboard for success on the European stage. "I'm not just happy with my performance," she declared. "I want everyone to know I mean business." It was an unmistakable message, one that echoed the competitive spirit of her duel with Asher-Smith – a rivalry that's consistently raised the bar at British national championships.
Romell Glave made his mark on the men's 100m, claiming his first ever British title and breaking through the personal best barrier in spectacular fashion. His time of 9.98 seconds was nothing short of phenomenal – and even more remarkable considering he'd previously only achieved sub-10 second times with a generous tailwind.
The battle for gold in the men's 100m was anything but straightforward, with British record holder Zharnel Hughes hot on Glave's heels all the way to the line. His silver medal finish in 10.01 seconds was a whisker away from first place, while former champion Louie Hinchliffe had to be content with bronze, his time of 10.03 seconds just not quite enough.
As for Glave himself, he credited his victory to a radical shift in mindset this season – a focus on living in the moment and running with freedom rather than fear. And now, with the European Championships looming large on the horizon, he's set his sights firmly on gold – an ambitious target that will only fuel his determination.
The action at the UK Championships shows no signs of letting up, with other top athletes still competing for national titles and gearing up for the big events to come. Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson used her 400m heat as a speed workout – and it paid dividends in style – while British record holder Amber Anning led the qualifiers in the women's 400m. Matt Hudson-Smith qualified fastest for his final, and Jake Wightman and Georgia Hunter Bell also progressed in the 800m.
It's been a day of drama and excitement at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium – but with so many top athletes still competing, there's plenty more to come from these UK Championships. The stage is set for thrilling competition as Britain's best prepare themselves for the ultimate test: the European Championships.