Amy Hunt secured her first senior international title at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, delivering Great Britain’s first gold medal of the event. The 24-year-old, who previously earned an Olympic silver medal as part of the British 4x100m relay team in 2024, surged to victory in the 100m final at Alexander Stadium.
Reflecting on her performance, Hunt described the win as a sweet breakthrough after a series of second-place finishes. She shared that her parents had gifted her gold earrings and a note two nights prior, encouraging her to finally move past her collection of silver medals. “It was definitely time for me to come of age here and win the gold,” she said Sport.
Hunt, who recently broke the 11-second barrier for the first time this season, demonstrated a powerful finish to move from fifth to first in the latter half of the race. She crossed the line in 11.00 seconds. This victory marks a significant milestone in her career, following her world 200m silver in Tokyo last year and a Commonwealth 100m silver just two weeks ago.
Defending champion Dina Asher-Smith, aiming for her seventh European gold, finished fifth with a time of 11.10 seconds. The podium was completed by Poland’s Ewa Swoboda, who took silver in 11.02, and Belgium’s Delphine Nkansa, who claimed bronze in 11.06.
The gold medal was Britain’s second of the opening day. Earlier, the host nation secured silver in the mixed 4x400m relay. The quartet of Yemi Mary John, Ben Jefferies, Charlotte Henrich, and Toby Harries finished in 3:10.47, trailing winners Norway, who clocked 3:09.62.
Hunt’s rise to the top follows a period of significant adversity. Her early senior career was interrupted by injury and the challenge of balancing elite training with her English Literature studies at Cambridge University. She notably suffered a ruptured quadriceps in 2022, a setback that hindered her progress after she had set a world under-18 200m record in 2019.
The sprinter has since found stability training under coach Marco Airale in Padova, Italy. Her recent consistency in hitting personal-best times suggests a shift in the hierarchy of British sprinting.
Looking ahead, Hunt has the potential to add to her medal tally in Birmingham. She is scheduled to compete in the 200m, as well as both the women’s and mixed 4x100m relay events later in the week.
For the 30-year-old Asher-Smith, the result was a disappointment. Competing a decade after her first European gold, the British record holder was unable to mount a serious challenge for the podium in this year’s final.
Having backed that up with Commonwealth 100m silver two weeks ago, the 24-year-old would not be denied gold this time on home soil at Alexander Stadium.
I have had such a string of silvers and I was starting to get a bit fed up with it, so I thought it was time for gold,” Hunt said Sport.
Hunt, full of confidence after this season breaking the 11-second barrier for the first time, raised her arms in celebration after producing a trademark strong finish which delivered her from fifth to first over the seco
Hunt, full of confidence after this season breaking the 11-second barrier for the first time, raised her arms in celebration after producing a trademark strong finish which delivered her from fifth to first over the second half of the race.
Yemi Mary John held off Dutch athlete Myrte van der Schoot in the home straight to bring a British quartet also featuring Ben Jefferies, Charlotte Henrich and Toby Harries home in three minutes 10.47 seconds, behind winners Norway (3:09.62).
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