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Sport

Dina Asher-Smith says it takes time to get used to be a world-class performer, despite British Indoor Championships 60m Gold

By: Alex Hoad

Published: 00:00, 17 February 2015

Teenage Kent sprint sensation Dina Asher-Smith insists she is still adjusting to her world-class tag after storming to 60m victory at the Sainsbury’s British Indoor Championships on Sunday.

Asher-Smith claimed gold with a time of 7.15 seconds at Sheffield’s EIS arena, with Rachel Johncock finishing second with a Personal Best of 7.33.

Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC star Asher-Smith's time was enough to qualify for the European Indoors in Prague and was just 0.03 shy of her PB, which puts the 19-year-old third in the all-time list of British female athletes over 60m.

The Orpington ace, who won 100m gold in last year’s World Junior Championships, admits she is slowly acclimatising to her position as a favourite, adding: "It’s odd having all my targets shifted this year from trying to make finals to now trying to win.

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“I’m still getting used to it, but I’m happy to be on the team and I just want to perform my best in Prague.

“Personally I still don’t think I’m there, but to have people describing me as world-class is unbelievable.

“I still feel like there is a huge difference between me and the best in the world, so we’ll have to see how I go.”

Dina Asher-Smith broke the British 200m record at the World Athletics Championships

Beyond the Euros in the Czech Republic next month, Asher-Smith will also be preparing for this summer’s World Championships in Beijing, two years after claiming a surprize bronze medal in the 4x100m relay in Moscow.

But coming up next for the teenager is the Birmingham Grand Prix this Saturday, and she admits focus will be key when she faces athletes she has long admired.

She said: "I’d love to medal again in Birmingham but obviously it is a totally different event.

“There will be so many world-class, amazing women that I look up to there, never mind having to stand on the line and race them.

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“It’s going to be a change, but I want to do my best and make the final there – we’ll just have to see and go from there.

“It’s an exciting year then to think the worlds are going to be in Beijing is incredible. In 2008 I was sitting and watching Usain Bolt, so to get there would be amazing.

“I just want to keep running PB’s and stay fit this year. I know that sounds silly but when I injured my hamstring last year I realised the importance of being fit.”

There was also a historic moment at Sheffield for Asher-Smith's training partners Shannon and Cheriece Hylton, who became the first twins to win complete a one-two at an Indoor Championships.

The pair claimed gold and silver in the senior women's 200m with Shannon's 23.69secs just .11 ahead of her sister.

There was also golden success for Kent race-walker Tom Bosworth, who was crowned British Indoor Champion over 3km.

The Tonbridge AC star returned from an overseas training block in Spain to record a new Personal Best of 11mins 30secs, the fourth fastest British race of all time, indoor or out, and second fastest indoor in British history.

Sainsbury’s is a proud partner of British Athletics. The partnership reflects Sainsbury’s wider commitment to inspiring healthy lifestyles for all, and complements grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and the Sainsbury’s School Games. www.sainsburys.co.uk

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