Zharnel Hughes wins sprint Amy Hunt surprises as Neta out British Championships decide world team

The 2025 British Athletics Championships kicked off at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, serving as trials for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo this September.

In the men’s 100m final, World Championships bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes clocked a wind-assisted 9.94 seconds to clinch the title, edging out Jeremiah Azu (9.97) and Louie Hinchliffe (10.01). With this victory, Hughes secured his spot on the World Championships team.

A major upset unfolded in the women’s 100m final as defending champion Daryll Neita was disqualified for a false start. Amy Hunt, 23, seized the opportunity and won in a personal best of 11.02 seconds, comfortably earning her ticket to Tokyo. Both Hunt and Neita are also expected to face former world champion Dina Asher-Smith in the 200m.

According to UK Athletics regulations, athletes must finish in the top two and meet the World Athletics qualifying standards to be selected for the official team, which will be announced on August 27.

In the women’s pole vault, Molly Caudery made a strong comeback by clearing 4.45m on her first attempt to win the title, then went on to jump 4.85m, equaling her season’s best. The 25-year-old, who won gold at last year’s World Indoor Championships and previously set a British record of 4.92m, missed the Olympic final but remains determined to return to 90cm-plus territory and aim even higher.

In the women’s 5000m, Hannah Nuttall won in 15:46.90 and, having already met the qualifying standard, confirmed her World Championships berth. Innes Fitzgerald, 19, who broke the European U20 record in London last month and also qualified, finished only third in this race—her selection now hinges on the final decision.

In men’s discus, Lawrence Okoye threw 65.93m to take the title and secure his spot in Tokyo. In the women’s hammer throw, Anna Purchase broke the championship record with a throw of 72.96m, meeting the UK Athletics standard. The women’s 3000m steeplechase saw Aimee-Synnott run 9:22.05, setting a new meet record and potentially qualifying based on world rankings.

A chaotic women’s 100m hurdles final ended with Alicia Barrett winning in 13.06 seconds, as multiple athletes fell during the race. In the men’s high jump, Divine Duruaku and Charlie Husbands both cleared 2.14m and agreed to share the title.

In the men’s long jump, Alessandro Schenini won gold with a first-round leap of 7.85m. Scott Lincoln claimed his 11th British men’s shot put title with a throw of 20.77m, continuing his dominance. Adelaide Omitogun took the women’s triple jump crown with a personal best of 13.62m.

In the men’s javelin, Michael Allison won with a personal best of 78.48m. In para-athletics, two-time Paralympic champion Dan Pembroke claimed gold in the men’s para javelin with 63.62m, and Dan Greaves won the para discus title with 55.63m.

In the men’s para 100m final, Thomas Young took the crown in 11.19 seconds, while Kare Adenegan dominated the women’s 800m wheelchair race with a time of 2:12.87.