5 British medal hopes at this year’s World Championships

5 British medal hopes at this year’s World Championships

The World Championships begin in Doha in September with Great Britain looking at a medal target of at least seven.

The squad won a record 12 medals at the European Indoor Championships in Glasgow this month and, here, Press Association Sport looks at the major contenders in Doha.

Laura Muir

European Indoor Athletics Championships – Day Three – Emirates Arena
Laura Muir claimed 1500m victory at the European Indoor Championships (Ian Rutherford/PA)

The 25-year-old Scot defended her 1500m and 3000m titles in Glasgow and, on the back  of 1500m victory at the European Championships in Berlin in August, will be a force this year.

Dina Asher-Smith

2018 Sport Christmas Package
Dina Asher-Smith will be expected to challenge for gold in Doha (Martin Rickett/PA)

She will be one of the favourites for a world title – the 23-year-old is planning to compete in both the 100m and 200m – and is likely to start her season at the Diamond League in Doha in May.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson

Gold in the pentathlon on Friday was Johnson-Thompson’s third title in a year and fourth major medal, after claiming gold at the World Indoors and Commonwealth Games and European silver in 2018.

A personal best in the shot put in Scotland shows the improvement in her throwing events, traditionally her weakest, and she should again rival defending champion Nafi Thiam in Doha.

Reece Prescod

Reece Prescod fastest men comments
Reece Prescod has changed his lifestyle to focus on success (Martin Rickett/PA)

He opted out of Glasgow, although was tempted, as he looks to manage himself through a long season. He was the only Briton to make the 100m final in London at the last World Championships but will be looking for a medal this time around.

Zharnel Hughes

Like Prescod, Hughes did not run in Glasgow and the reigning 100m European champion has his sights set on a bigger prize.

The 23-year-old, who trains in Jamaica under Usain Bolt’s former coach Glen Mills, has run a few 400m during the winter but will want to compete with the USA’s Christian Coleman and Ronnie Baker and team-mate Prescod for gold in the 100m.

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