Imani Lansiquot and Harry Aikines-Aryeety win 100m titles at the British Athletics Championships 2020
The floodlights of the Manchester Regional Arena added extra spectacle to the 100m finals and the action on the track didn’t disappoint with Imani Lansiquot claiming her first British title in the women’s final. Lansiquot showed strength and sheer determination to come through in the final 20m after fast starts from 60m indoor champion Amy Hunt and Kristal Awuah
Lansiquot stopped the clock in 11.26; it was close for second with Awuah getting the better of Hunt on the line. Shortly after the Lansiquot’s first British title, Harry Aikines-Aryeety ended his wait for a gold medal at the British Championships with victory in the men’s 100m. He set a season’s best time of 10.35 to win gold ahead of Ojie Edoburun and Tommy Ramdhan
Having won gold at his 12th attempt, Aikines-Aryeety was delighted post-race: “This means so much. British sprinting is at its peak at the moment. There are many sprinters not here, but we are here and doing them proud as well because they are such great guys.
“I have come here again for my second competition of the year. Sometimes we don’t celebrate success enough and 2020 is an example of this and today I have come, and I have won and I am British champion, for the first time after all these years.”
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Cindy Ofili retained her British title in what proved to be one of the closest finishes of the opening day. 17-year-old Lucy-Jane Matthews pushed Ofili all the way to the line, but Ofili (13.16, 1.5m/s) had the edge to finish four hundredths ahead of Matthews, who set a PB and a British age 17 best of 13.20.
There was another British title for David King in the men’s 110m hurdles. Arriving in Manchester as the reigning outdoor and 60m hurdles champion, King retained his title in 13.58, getting the better of Cameron Fillery in a repeat of last year’s top-two. Miguel Perera crossed the line in third.
King said: “I am really happy with that and a very fast time for a cold evening in Manchester. That really sets you up for the big ones. I am running well and have improved technically so I am very happy. I am so pleased this was able to go ahead – it has been even different with no hurdle practice in the warm-up but that’s why the first run was so important to actually be able to hurdle. It has been a great event so far.”
