Dina Asher-Smith: The making of a world champion

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By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport at Doha
Miss Mandy Papadopoulos knew.
Before any coach, expert or adviser, it had been Papadopoulos, a teacher in Perry Hall Primary School, who understood Dina Asher-Smith would become a world champion.
The 23-year-olds achievement of becoming the first British woman to win Olympic sprint title or a world with victory in the 200m at the World Championships seemed pre-destined, according to her childhood class tutor and others who have watched the athlete mature.
I remember having her into my team on sports day – she had been great, Papadopoulos told BBC Sport. We had been a couple points behind and needed to win the last race – and that had been in that previous leg of this relay? Dina!
She flew like the wind and left most people speechless. What a conclusion!
Papadopoulos said the female student was keen at the Orpington college and was a part of the history club on geography and history, in addition to being a pure athlete.
Dina was a sort, polite and popular girl with a excellent sense of humor, Papadopoulos added.
Clare Hudson, the chief school PE instructor of Asher-Smith, recalled she did not know whether to pick her for the distance or rush occasions but head teacher Angela Ward stated that the Briton hated cross-country since she was great at both.
Paradoxically, it was through a cross-country race in Crystal Palace which Asher-Smith was seen by her existing sports club Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and coach John Blackie, whom the Briton describes as hersecond daddy having now been with him since age eight.
At a column in the Telegraph, Asher-Smith clarified how crucial the coach was as an athlete in her physical and mental development.
My trainer John is like family to me, she explained. Plenty of people wonder about himas he isnt the kind of individual to find the limelight and need additional attention.
Hes happy inside himself and finds delight in supporting the others and helping them to fulfil their potential. He is a humble and kind man, and I adore him to bits.
His service along with her parents allowed since she procured the A-levels necessary to study history at Kings College 35, Asher-Smith to pursue dreams and her monitor.
Denise Lewis, who obtained heptathlon gold for Britain in Sydney 2000, told BBC Sport its that strong will to attain her maximum potential in all parts of her life that sets her apart.
Shes amazing art for academia and decided she wished to finish university and perform athletics too, that the 47-year-old said.
Dina has always had a fantastic mindset. Her achievement is not something that has just happened – as shes evolved, its come. Shes always been a determined young woman.
Planet 100m bronze medallist Darren Campbell and 200m silver also recognised that this was a athlete worth investing money and time in, having met Asher-Smith 10 years back.
I set up a school fundraising initiative with the late Todd Bennett, who used to operate 400m, Campbell told the BBC.
When we were launching case the first grant we gave away was to Dina. So yeah, probably from that meeting you understood she had been a young athlete that had dreams and I believe thats so important.
We are talking about someone who will line up against the best sprinters which Great Britain has ever produced – the likes of former Olympic and world champion Linford Christie. Thats how unique Dina Asher-Smith is
Since she became double sprint champion in 2013 her career has gone way.
Before she became the first female sprinter to operate 100m A world junior title followed 2014.
An European indoor 60m silver was her first major senior trophy before she left a large leap coming fifth from the 2015 World Championships 200m with a gorgeous period of 22.07 – a national record in the moment.
Belief grew.
She edged closer to a podium finish with a fourth position at Rio 2016 and became 200m champion in 2016.
Last years European treble was probably a foregone conclusion, however, it was the way she did it – 10.85 from the 100m and 21.89 in the 200m – and also Asher-Smith subsequently swapped Good Britain to victory in the 4x100m relay final.
She sent in Doha. The 100m silver on Sunday was the very first person world medal won by a British feminine since Kathy Cook at 1983 followed by the historic triumph in her favoured event in a British recording time of 21.88 minutes. And also the 200m gold on Wednesday saw her become the first female to win a major global sprint name.
Winner Naomi Ogbeta stated Asher-Smith is the successor to current athletics icons.
In terms of British game she can really change matters, the 21-year-old told BBC Sport.
We havent really had someone that recognisable because the times of Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah. Dina is bringing the whole team back up.
But the last word should go to her thoughts instructor Ward.
Dina always aimed high. When things didnt work out as she wanted she would double her efforts and work even harder – she wasnt one to quit, she explained.
She is an inspiration. Consistently a excellent character, filled with power and fun. She still makes time to get Perry Hall Primary School where it all began – we are so pleased with her.
The boys have a stroll on the wild side
It has one of the widest ranges of selection in sport and throws to space and cross country running or sprints.
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