18th September 2025

ANNING CLOCKS SEASON'S BEST IN 400M FINAL FOR 5TH IN THE WORLD

A season’s best display helped Amber Anning finish fifth in a memorable women’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Anning (Chris Johnson, Brighton & Hove) finished in a season’s best of 49.36 in a race won by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who set a new Championship record of 47.78 – the second-quickest run of all time in this event.

Anning said: “I gave it my best effort, it is the fastest I’ve run all year.

“I felt like the race got away from me a little bit but I finished well. I have so much more to give and I am looking forward to getting back to it next season.

“It is amazing to be on the world stage, I have really enjoyed it. I am on the right path.”

There were no shortage of impressive British displays on day six, with Amy Hunt (Marco Airale, Charnwood) delivering a personal best to book her spot in the women’s 200m final alongside Dina Asher-Smith (Blackheath & Bromley).

Hunt stopped the clock in 22.08, finishing second behind Shericka Jackson in the opening semi, while Asher-Smith came home in 22.21 to seal a place in her latest global showpiece.

Hunt said: “I knew it was in there and I knew it would take somewhere around my PB to make it.

“These semis are crazy this year, you know everyone has really brought it in the 200m, anyone could be in there for a medal.

“I knew I had to bring it if I wanted to be part of the fun. And I did, so I am very happy.”

Unfortunately Daryll Neita (Lance Brauman, Cambridge Harriers) finished fourth in the third semi-final in 22.77 to miss out on the final and exit the competition.

Zharnel Hughes (Glen Mills, Shaftesbury Barnet) made it into the men’s 200m final after finishing second in his semi-final, clocking 19.95 to follow home Noah Lyles.

“I’m happy to be in the finals,” Hughes said. “As long as I can navigate well, coming around that bend, I’ll be fine.

Keely Hodgkinson (Trevor Painter, Leigh) eased through in the women’s 800m, winning the opening heat of the event in 1:59.79.

The race marked the reigning Olympic champion’s first on this track since winning silver as a teenager at Tokyo 2020 and she was pleased to get the job done.

“I don’t like the heats as they can feel worse when I’m running 1.59 than it does when I’m running 1.55 so I’m just happy I’m through,” she said.

“I’ve been so bored just waiting for it to come around so I was really excited to get out there. It’s our turn to have some fun and get on the stage, so, I’m excited.”

Hodgkinson will be joined in the semi-finals by training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell (Trevor Painter, Belgrave Harriers), who won her heat in 1:58.82, while Jemma Reekie (Jon Bigg, Kilbarchan) just missed out after finishing fifth in her heat in 1:59.35.

Max Burgin (Ian Burgin, Halifax Harriers) qualified for the men’s 800m final, setting the pace in his semi before holding on for second in 1:43.37. However teammate Ben Pattison (Dave Ragan, Basingstoke & Mild Hants) finished fifth in the first semi-final in 1:45.84, ending his progress.

In the women’s high jump, Morgan Lake (Yannick Tregaro, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) looked very comfortable clearing 1.92m to ensure she will compete in Sunday’s final.

“I’m very happy,” she said. “Two metres only a few weeks ago shows that that is my current form and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“I just want to go out and enjoy Sunday and just test how high I can jump.”

Hannah Nuttall (Helen Clitheroe, Wells City) will be the sole British entrant in the women’s 5000m final after qualifying in seventh from the opening heat in 14:38.09. Nuttall ran a storming heat to rejoin the lead pack knowing she had to break into the top eight to qualify.

Sadly, Melissa Courtney Bryant (Rob Denmark, Poole) and Innes FitzGerald (Gavin Pavey, Exeter) missed out after clocking 15:27.70 and 15:15.83 respectively.