We’re in a golden age – Dina Asher-Smith hails women’s sprint depth

Dina Asher-Smith believes she is racing in the ‘golden age’ of women’s sprinting. The 27-year-old is ready to start her World Championships campaign in Budapest. Asher-Smith, who finished fourth in the 100m at the Worlds last year despite equalling her British record of 10.83 seconds, and Daryll Neita race in the 100m heats on Sunday. They are aiming to challenge Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce , Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson, who completed a clean sweep of the medals in Eugene 13 months ago. Asher-Smith took 200m bronze behind Jackson and Fraser-Pryce. ‘I definitely do think we’re in like a golden age,’ said Asher-Smith. ‘It will be remembered as kind of like a (Usain) Bolt era but on the side of the women’s, and far more competitive. There are a lot of women in that arena. ‘You say Shelley-Ann and Elaine would be like, ‘ah?’ Then even this year, Shericka will be like, ‘er?’ There are just so many. ‘I feel like when there’s so many people running fast, there’s no point thinking about other people. You’ve just got to focus on yourself. ‘If you start focusing on one or two, you’ll forget about the other seven, who are also incredibly quick. There’s lots of very, very talented and very experienced women racing. ‘I think we have one of the strongest and what will hopefully be the most exciting events of this World Championships. ‘There’s a lot of depth. All you can do is focus on yourself, right? That’s all I can do. I can only control myself. So that’s kind of what I am doing.’ It will be remembered as kind of like a Bolt era but on the side of the women’s, and far more competitive. Neita, who along with Asher-Smith is also running in the 200m and 4x100m relay, goes into the Championships ranked seventh in the world in both individual events. She said: ‘I’m feeling very confident. It’s going to be the first time I’m doing two events and then onto the relay as well. So it’s very different this year, because I’m normally going for the 100 metres, which is we know is stacked. ‘Failing to make the final at worlds last year was very bittersweet, running the fastest ever semi-final not to make it. ‘The 200m is still a pretty new event for me but I’m feeling very confident and I’m just going there this year, very relaxed, not putting too much pressure on myself, but just really want to have fun and execute and just achieve as well as I can.’