Team England has won an impressive double gold in the men's and women’s 4x100m relay - on a packed morning of medal-winning performances for Team England on day 10 of Gold Coast 2018.
The men’s relay team, consisting of Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Rueben Arthur stormed to an astonishing victory in a time of 38.13.
Zharnel Hughes’ leg was electric down the back straight giving England a dominant lead, before a smooth handover to Richard Kilty. Harry Ainikes-Aryeetey powered his way over line on the final straight before embracing with the rest of the team and celebrating their victory.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey said: “Reuben got a late call out – to put together a team in the manner which we have done, with Adam (Gemili) out there supporting us, it’s great. We won the World Champs with a different quartet. No doubt that the guys back home that would have been cheering us on too. We’re all well-drilled, it’s all down to our flat speed, so when we’re in shape, we do it. And it’s only April and we’ve won a championship, that’s great for us. A huge shout out goes to our support staff and British Athletics too.”
And the result was shortly followed by another gold, this time for Team England’s women, also in the 4x100m giving England an impressive double relay gold!
Asha Philip dominated from the off after a super start, handing over to 100m bronze medallist Dina Asher-Smith who built up an assailable lead. Bianca Williams kept England ahead on the third leg before Lorraine Ugen bringing the medal home despite Jamaica’s Olympic champion Elaine Thompson bearing down on her.
The women also broke the national record, with a time of 42.46.
Asha Philip said: "Respect to Lorraine (Ugen) today – we had the job of just getting the baton round to her with an ample lead, and after that she could do her job. Each of the girls here did what they were told, and we got a medal. After the men won gold, we couldn’t embarrass ourselves – we had to come back with something!”