Asher-Smith a real threat in Doha - Boldon

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith has emerged as a threat in the women’s sprints and some observers have begun to believe that she could win the 200m at the IAAF World Championships in Doha. Among them is 1997 World men’s 200m champion Ato Boldon. Renowned as a track and field analyst, Boldon thinks Asher-Smith is a slight favourite over Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson.

On September 21, the respected US publication Track and Field News predicted a one-two finish for Thompson and compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the 100m, with Asher-Smith third. In the longer sprint, the prediction placed the Briton in front.

“I’m convinced that Dina is going to win as well,” Boldon said after revealing that his form chart originally had Thompson on top. “Elaine just has not shown me her last 100m, but I do know that Elaine is a better championship performer, so I don’t know if I have Asher-Smith as a big favourite, but usually I don’t agree completely with Track and Field News’ predictions, and I look at it this year and we are both lined up exactly.”

Thompson lost on the line, 21.66 seconds to the Netherlands’ Dafne Schippers 21.63, at the 2015 World Championships. The Jamaican returned the favour in 21.78 seconds to win the 2016 Olympic title.

Last year, Asher-Smith pipped her to third place at the Commonwealth Games and won the European Championships sprint double with personal bests of 10.85 and 21.89 seconds. She and Thompson have met three times in 2019, with the Briton winning in Stockholm and finishing ahead in Zurich, though both lost there to Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo. Thompson edged her at the Prefontaine Classic in June, where they finished second and third.

In addition, the 2015 and 2017 World finalist was ahead of Fraser-Pryce in Birmingham.

Boldon expects that 2019 Pan-Am Games gold medal winner Fraser-Pryce will beat defending champion Schippers. Though the Dutchwoman is the third fastest woman of all time, he predicted, “Shelly-Ann’s going to run the heck out of the turn. She’s going to be running like a woman possessed and, yes, maybe Schippers catches her. My podium now is Dina, Elaine and I’m going to stick with Shelly-Ann.”

Thompson and Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, who upset everyone at the Prefontaine Classic, are the fastest entrants for the Doha 200m at 22.00 and 22.05 seconds, respectively. Asher-Smith and Fraser-Pryce have times of 22.08 and 22.22 seconds.

Thompson did hint publicly that she was in a heavy training cycle in August, and Boldon added a note of respect for coach Stephen Francis and his ability to ready his MVP Track Club charges for the days that count the most. “His athletes get it right in the big races,” Boldon said.