British record for red-hot Asher-Smith

Sprinter shows fantastic form at World Indoor Tour in Birmingham but has resisted temptation to do next month’s European Indoor Championships in Istanbul

If the indoor season offers clues as to how well an athlete will run outdoors, then Dina Asher-Smith is set for a potentially special summer after a spectacular showing at the World Indoor Tour Final in Birmingham on Saturday (Feb 25). The 27-year-old clocked a British 60m record of 7.03 in her heat before a decisive victory in the final in 7.05.

Behind her, fellow Brit Daryll Neita was runner-up in 7.13 with Destiny Smith-Barnett of the United States third in 7.15 and world 200m champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica fourth in 7.18 as European 100m gold medallist Gina Luckenkemper wound up seventh.

“I am really happy,” she beamed. “I was actually coming here for 6.9 so I have really mixed emotions, though. I know I had it in me but ultimately the big aim is the World Championships in Budapest so I have to channel that and push on to the outdoors.”

At the start of the year Asher-Smith said “I’m not an indoor champs kind of girl” and she reminded everyone in Birmingham that she had not run an international indoor championships since 2016. Given this she will not be at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul in a few days’ time.

“Honestly we don’t ever really peak for the indoors. Everybody’s different. And I think every athlete uses it in different ways because indoors for most of us is always a pathway to outdoors.”

Dina Asher-Smith (Getty)

Asher-Smith likes to stick to her winning habits and routines. Another is the presence of her family supporting her at events. Here in Birmingham they were cheering their daughter from the stands but has her mum, Julie, ever missed her race?

Yes, Asher-Smith revealed, at the 2011 European Youth Olympic Festival in Turkey. “My mum didn’t watch and I didn’t run well so she’s tried to be at my races ever since.”

Dina Asher-Smith (Getty)

The men’s 60m was less clearcut as Charlie Dobson won in 6.64 from Adam Gemili’s 6.68 but only after Jeremiah Azu, Ojie Edoburun and Richard Akinyebo were disqualified for false starts.

“It was very stressful at the time when you are trying to get prepared and then you have to comeback twice in the end,” said Dobson. “You just have to deal with it and move on.”

Charlie Dobson and Adam Gemili (Getty)

On his victory, he added: “I’m very…