Amy Hunt finished third in the Diamond League 200m women’s final in Brussels on a night that underlined how far her sprinting has come. The British runner clocked a season’s best of 22.16sec behind winner Julien Alfred, who took victory in 21.79, and second-place Kyla White, who ran 22.00.
It was a strong result for Hunt against one of the best sprinters in the world. Julien Alfred arrived in Brussels as the Olympic 100m champion, and the Diamond League final offered a late-season test against top competition. Hunt passed that test with one of the fastest 200m races of her career.
A season’s best in a high-level field
Hunt said she felt the race showed she is moving in the right direction. She noted that the last few 200s have shown she is getting stronger, and that she was probably one of the closest athletes to her personal best on the night. In her words, it was also one of the best 200s she has ever produced, especially given the conditions.
The race came in cold September weather in northern Europe, with the final taking place at 10pm. Hunt said that made the performance even more encouraging, because she believed it was probably the best first half of a race she has ever put together.
Why the result matters
That matters because Hunt is coming off a strong stretch of form. Last month in Birmingham, she won four European gold medals, and her showing in Brussels suggests that momentum is carrying into the final stage of the season. Finishing third in a Diamond League final is a useful benchmark, especially when the winner is a proven global star.
Hunt was especially encouraged by how close she felt to Alfred on the bend, saying it made her think she could have challenged more with completely fresh legs. She also described Alfred as an incredible athlete, adding that she is fierce but kind. For Hunt, that combination of respect and confidence is a sign of a sprinter who believes bigger performances are still ahead.
The Brussels meeting was also the 50th memorial meeting in memory of Ivo Van Damme, adding another layer to a race that already carried late-season significance. For Hunt, though, the takeaway was straightforward: a season’s best, a podium finish, and a clear sign that her 200m form is trending in the right direction.
