Dina Asher-Smith wins in Stockholm in final race before World Championships
Dina Asher-Smith began her final countdown to the World Championships by winning the 200 metres at the Diamond League in Stockholm.
The reigning 200m world champion clocked 22.37 seconds – just three thousandths of a second ahead of Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji.
It was her last race before next month’s World Championships in Eugene, where she will try to defend the title she won in Doha three years ago and improve on her 100m silver.
🔥 22.37!@dinaashersmith just holds off @MKambundji in a photo finish in the women's 200m.
0.003 in it. #DiamondLeague#StockholmDL📷 @matthewquine pic.twitter.com/i1jbTrB4S2
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) June 30, 2022
Asher-Smith was beaten to the British 100m title by Daryll Neita in Manchester on Saturday.
On Thursday in Sweden, Reece Prescod ran 10.15 seconds to finish second behind Akani Simbine in the 100m.
Keely Hodgkinson, who is expected to challenge the United States’ Athing Mu for gold in Eugene next month, was second in the 800m.
The 20-year-old ran one minute 58.18 seconds but was beaten by Kenya’s Mary Moraa.
1:57.68
Kenya's Mary #Moraa takes a huge step towards the #DiamondLeague final as she beats reigning champion @keelyhodgkinson in the women's 800m. #StockholmDL📷 @matthewquine pic.twitter.com/LxjSgHE2vz
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) June 30, 2022
“It was solid, everyone was trying to run in the same space. I gave it my all, she did better than me, but I’m sure we’ll race again at the World Champs,” Hodgkinson said.
“I came to Stockholm last year, it was a really good build-up to the Olympics, so why not do it again this year. I’ll get ready for Oregon and then it’s all go.”
Lorraine Ugen won the long jump by leaping 6.81m, with Jazmin Sawyers eighth.