It’s heartache for Dina as her hopes break down again
DINA Asher-Smith’s injury curse struck again as she gave up her European sprint crown without even reaching the finish line.
A hamstring injury had forced Britain’s fastest woman to miss the Commonwealth Games.And she broke down early in a 100m final won by Gina Luckenkemper.
The Kent star said: “I’m frustrated. I had cramp in my calves. I feel good, I’m in good shape, there’s no tear or damage. But I can’t be running on two cramping calves. I wasn’t about to go and run a whole race on the and probably tear them.”
As Asher-Smith limped to the line team-mate Daryll Neita was almost as despondent with a bronze earned in 11.00secs, a fraction behind German winner Luckenkemper (10.99) and Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji.
She too complained of cramping – but was reluctant to offer up the excuse of a third championship in six weeks. It completed a disappointing night in Munich for Britain as Zharnel Hughes also coughed up his men’s 100m crown in front of a 50,000 crowd.
Like Asher-Smith, Lamont Marcell Jacobs picked up an injury in Eugene. Unlike her, the Olympic champion made a triumphant return.
The shock winner of last year’s Tokyo final showed no signs of the thigh problem that caused his withdrawal at the worlds as he beat Hughes into silver.
He equalled Hughes’ championship record of 9.95secs, with British champion Jeremiah Azu ecstatic after taking bronze.
● The multi-sport European Championships Munich 2022 take place between 11-21 August on the 50th anniversary of the Olympics Games in the Germany city. Follow online at bbc. co.uk/sport