Dina Asher-Smith sets the pace in Manchester
Asher-Smith cruised through her 100m heat at the Manchester Regional Arena.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dina Asher-Smith breezed through to the semi-final at the British Athletics Championships as her countdown to Tokyo continued.
The 25-year-old clocked 11.28 seconds to win the opening 100m heat at the Manchester Regional Arena.
The European 100 and 200 metres champion eased into Saturday’s semi-final, with the Championships doubling at the Olympic trials ahead of the Games next month.
“It’s really good to come here to the British Olympic trials, I want to earn the right to be in the next round, which means running well,” she said.
“I always believed it (Tokyo) was going to happen so it’s been quite easy to stay motivated. That goal never changes.”
Asher-Smith qualified fastest ahead of Daryll Neita and Asha Philip while CJ Ujah reached the men’s semi-final in 10.56secs.
European champion Zharnel Hughes won his heat in 10.50secs with Andrew Robertson also winning his heat.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, heat winners Jessie Knight (56.88secs), Jessica Turner, (56.96secs), Lina Nielsen (57.66secs) and Meghan Beesley (57.53secs) all progressed to Saturday’s final.