Daryll Neita believes she can challenge on the world stage after beating Dina Asher-Smith in Manchester
(Picture: Getty Images)Daryll Neita produced an upset in the women’s 100m final at the UK Athletics Championships and then immediately turned her attention to bigger prizes on the horizon.
Olympic 100m finalist Neita clocked 10.80 seconds in Manchester to edge out Dina Asher-Smith, whose British record of 10.83sec would have been broken had the time not been heavily wind-assisted.
Asher-Smith, the 200m world champion, ran 10.87sec but could not beat Neita, who believes she can challenge her teammate at next month’s World Championships in Eugene.
Neita said: “I’ve watched her do amazing things on the world stage and it’s been very inspiring but I’ve always known I can do it too. This gives me a lot of confidence and I really believe there is no limit to me.
“I’m super happy. I’ve worked so hard for this. To finally get the gold just means so much.”
Last year’s champion Asher-Smith finished ahead of Imani Lansiquot but could not hide her frustration at second place.
She said: “I’m annoyed because I’d rather win. I’m fuming because I don’t like losing but I said to her face that I’m very happy for her. She’s worked really hard and improved so much over the years.
“I don’t like losing so I’m angry but I’m happy to be all in one piece heading on the plane to Eugene.
“Domestically it’s really important to have that rivalry, to have someone else turning out the times. Having all the sprint girls doing really well is amazing.
“I’ve been working on stuff in training, my body is in good shape, we just need things to come together at the right time. It doesn’t impact on my expectations for Oregon.”
Jeremiah Azu stunned Zharnel Hughes and Reece Prescod to take the men’s 100m title with a wind-assisted 9.90 seconds that would otherwise have been a championship record.
Hughes ran 9.91 seconds in the semi-final, although it was heavily wind-assisted, but could only finish third with Prescod second.
“I had it on my lock screen on my phone since last year - 2022 British champion - and to stand here and say it I’m so grateful,” said Azu, who should still earn a place in the GB squad for Eugene through world rankings.
“It’s just the beginning, I’m 21 and I’m looking to change sprinting in Britain forever.”
Laura Muir claimed the 1500m title for the first time in six years after easing to a comfortable victory in four minutes 12.91 seconds.
The Scot, who came fifth in the 1500m in Doha three years ago, will now travel to America next week ahead of the World Championships.
Jake Wightman took the men’s 1500m crown with Josh Kerr, who won Olympic bronze last year, third, and new British record holder Matthew Hudson-Smith is the 400m champion. Elliot Thompson, son of double Olympic champion Daley, won the decathlon.
Keely Hodgkinson was fifth in the women’s 400m in a personal best of 52.41 seconds, after dropping down from 800m to use the event as speed training. The title was won by Victoria Ohuruogu, sister of former Olympic champion Christine.
