Amy Hunt has declared she is “on the up” and “not afraid of anyone” after delivering a standout performance in the 100m final at the Diamond League in Brussels. The 24-year-old Briton crossed the line in 11.06 seconds, securing second place behind Jamaica’s Tina Clayton, who claimed victory with a time of 10.93 seconds. Hunt’s result was particularly notable as it saw her finish ahead of American Olympic silver medallist Sha’Carri Richardson, who took third in 11.07 seconds.
This achievement follows a busy schedule for Hunt, who competed in the 200m just one day prior. Reflecting on her trajectory, the sprinter noted that her confidence stems from a lifelong competitive spirit. “I am 24 and on the up and up and up. I am not afraid of the other girls,” Hunt said. “I have so much love and respect for them and they are absolute icons, but I love the challenge of going head to head with them. It takes me back to younger days racing boys in the school playground.”
Hunt, who secured four gold medals at the European Championships in Birmingham last month, is now preparing for the inaugural Ultimate Championships in Budapest starting on 11 September. She remains the only athlete to have doubled up in the sprints at the Brussels event, walking away with both a second and a third-place finish.
In the 1500m, fellow Briton Georgia Hunter Bell finished fourth. Despite a successful year that included world indoor, Commonwealth, and European titles, the 32-year-old struggled to challenge the leaders in Brussels. Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska won the race in 3:54.05, followed by Kenya’s Dorcus Ewoi and Australia’s Jessica Hull.
Hunter Bell attributed her performance to the exhaustion of a long season, having participated in 19 races throughout the year. “I have done three championships so I am starting to feel it in my body,” she explained. “I am struggling a little bit, even mentally to get my adrenaline up again week in, week out, but I am really lucky to be racing and to be happy and healthy. I just have to regroup before the Ultimate Championships next week, but I have to be happy with my consistency this season.”
The women’s 800m final saw a tight contest as Switzerland’s Audrey Werro held off a late charge from Dutch athlete Femke Broeders-Bol. Werro, who has recorded three of the fastest 800m times in history this year, finished in 1:54.75, edging out Broeders-Bol by just 0.06 seconds. The race took place in the absence of British Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who was sidelined by injury.
Elsewhere on the track, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos and America’s Masai Russell maintained their momentum by repeating their recent victories in the men’s 400m hurdles and women’s 100m hurdles, respectively. While both athletes secured wins in Brussels, neither was able to surpass the world-record-setting times they established in Zurich just one week earlier. The report also notes that and I am the only athlete to double up in the sprints and I came away with a second and a third,” added Hunt, to come away with two podiums is no mean feat.
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