‘Two out of four, baby’ – Hunt wins 200m as she eyes historic quadruple

Hunt Claims 200m Triumph as Historic Four-Gold Dream Takes Shape

Ninoda.com – British sprinter Amy Hunt has captured another European Championship title, this time in the 200 metres, setting her sights on an unprecedented achievement in Birmingham. The 24-year-old, who already secured victory in the 100 metres on Monday, crossed the finish line with a season-best time of 22.19 seconds on Thursday to claim her second gold of the tournament.

With relay races still ahead, Hunt remains focused on completing a remarkable quadruple. “Two out of four, baby!” she exclaimed to BBC television. “This is becoming a magical week and one I will remember for the rest of my life.” She emphasized her commitment to the team, noting there would be “no celebrations and no champagne until Sunday night” as she feels she has “a debt to the ladies” in the relay events.

A Thrilling Finish and Record-Breaking Performance

The final saw Hunt reel in compatriot Dina Asher-Smith down the back straight to secure victory. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke claimed bronze, edging out Asher-Smith by just 0.01 seconds while setting a new national record. Two-time European 200m silver medallist Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake commented on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It unfolded exactly how I thought it would. I knew Dina would run a blistering bend and then say ‘Amy, come and catch me’. And that’s what Amy has done.”

Former British 400m runner Allison Curbishley also analyzed the race, explaining: “Dina was not handing it to Amy. She was going to make her work hard. Asher-Smith held on as hard as she could. Then she started to over-stride, and the hips dropped.”

Hunt’s Composed Display Earns Praise

After experiencing difficulties in the 200 metres earlier in the summer, Hunt described this victory as a “renewal of our vows” in the event. Three-time world heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill praised her performance on BBC TV: “Amy was phenomenal. She came off that bend like a train. It was so exciting to see Dina and Amy side by side. Amy said she was going to do it – and she did.”

As Hunt celebrated with arms raised and pointing skyward, she mirrored Asher-Smith’s own 100m-200m European double from 2018. Former men’s 1500m world champion Steve Cram observed: “Amy has it all. The speed, the endurance, the confidence, and now the double. This is Amy’s stage at the moment.”

Asher-Smith’s Continued Legacy

Asher-Smith, who previously won 200m gold at the 2016 and 2018 European Championships, finished third to claim her ninth European medal. Only Polish sprinter Irena Szewinska has achieved more, with ten titles. The 30-year-old had been aiming for a historic seventh gold to become the joint-most successful athlete in championship history.

“I’m disappointed to have a bronze, but I think 10 years after my first one it is such an achievement to be in a place to come back year after year,” Asher-Smith told BBC TV. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on in my life, just come and continue to be one of the fastest women in the world. Happy to have done that today.”

Before the race, expectations were high for a British one-two-three podium finish, with Asher-Smith, Hunt, and Eduan holding the three fastest times in Europe this year. However, Eduan—who defeated Hunt to win her first British title in June—finished sixth. Hunt’s second sprint gold adds to Britain’s dominance in Birmingham, following Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu’s one-two in the men’s 100m and Matthew Hudson-Smith’s 400m victory on Wednesday.