Asher-Smith equals European medal record as Hunt chases historic fourth gold in Birmingham

Asher-Smith reaches 10-medal milestone

Dina Asher-Smith became the joint most-decorated athlete in European Championships history on Saturday, winning her seventh continental gold as part of Britain's women's 4x100m relay team in Birmingham. Her career tally of 10 medals, comprising seven gold, two silver and one bronze, drew her level with Polish sprint great Irena Szewinska, who won her 10 European Championship medals between 1966 and 1978. The 30-year-old Asher-Smith also shares the 10-medal mark with Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Croatian discus thrower Sandra Elkasevic. Her first European title came 10 years ago, and she added a 200m bronze on Thursday before the relay triumph closed her championships account.

Hunt's golden treble sets up Sunday pursuit

Amy Hunt, 24, claimed her third gold of the championships in six days, having already completed the 100m-200m sprint double earlier in the week. The relay victory set up a shot at history on Sunday, when she will compete in the mixed 4x100m relay, seeking to become the first athlete to win four gold medals at a single edition of the championships in its 92-year history. The mixed 4x100m relay was introduced to the programme this year, creating the possibility that no athlete had previously had. If Asher-Smith also competes in the mixed relay, she could move outright to the top of the all-time medal list.

How the women's relay was won

The British quartet of Asher-Smith, Hunt, Success Eduan and Imani-Lara Lansiquot clocked 42.05 seconds, more than a second clear of Switzerland, who took silver in 43.12 seconds, with Poland claiming bronze in 43.15 seconds. Asher-Smith ran the opening leg in 11.37 seconds, the fastest first 100m of the field, before Hunt delivered the quickest split of the British team at 10.10 seconds. Eduan's 10.43-second third leg briefly dropped Britain to second behind Switzerland amid an awkward baton exchange, before Lansiquot closed decisively in 10.15 seconds.

Men complete the relay double

Fifteen minutes before the women's race, the British men's quartet of Jeremiah Azu, Louie Hinchliffe, Zharnel Hughes and Romell Glave also won gold, clocking 38.45 seconds ahead of Germany and Belgium. Glave, the 100m gold medallist, stormed down the home straight to seal the victory. The back-to-back relay triumphs gave the host nation a surge of momentum heading into Sunday's final day of competition.

Teammates and coach in the spotlight

Hunt was effusive about her relay teammates, calling them "the fantastic four" and praising each woman's individual accomplishments. She highlighted that Eduan, 21, is three weeks from completing her degree in midwifery, and that Lansiquot wrote the play Armour of Gaza in 2021 about growing up in Peckham.

It's such a privilege to be able to step on the track with these ladies, and the individual superpowers that we bring. It's no joke. We're all superwomen together out there.

Hunt also credited Britain's new relay coach Richard Kilty, whose pre-race message to the women was simple: "Go out and break their hearts." Eduan, asked whether delivering a baby or a baton was harder, replied with a smile: "A baby! Someone's life is in my hands."

Medal table picture

Britain's overall tally rose to 12 medals, including six golds, while Italy remained top of the table with 17 medals heading into the final day of competition. The championships conclude on Sunday with the mixed 4x100m relay, where Hunt will attempt to complete her historic quadruple.