Britain's Amy Hunt Just Ended Her Silver Medal Curse With The MOST Emotional 100m Win β And The Story Behind Her Gold Earrings Has Us SOBBING π₯π
After a string of silver medals that had her "fed up", Amy Hunt finally claimed European 100m gold in Birmingham β and the gift from her parents two nights before the race is making everyone emotional. This was her coming-of-age moment.
Stop scrolling, because Britain's Amy Hunt just delivered the most emotional gold medal moment at the European Athletics Championships β and the backstory is making us ALL cry. π
The 24-year-old sprinter stormed to 100m glory in Birmingham on Monday night, clocking 11.00 seconds flat to claim her first senior international title. After world 200m silver in Tokyo last year and Commonwealth 100m silver just two weeks ago, Hunt was DONE with being the bridesmaid.
"I have had such a string of silvers and I was starting to get a bit fed up with it, so I thought it was time for gold," Hunt told BBC Sport after her win.
But here's where it gets emotional.
The Gold Earrings That Changed Everything β¨
Two nights before the final, Hunt's parents left her a note β and a pair of gold earrings.
"My parents gifted me these gold earrings to finally level up, because I wear all-silver jewellery," Hunt revealed. "They said it was time for gold β they left me that note two nights ago β so it made me quite emotional."
We are NOT okay. π
The Cambridge graduate, who balanced an English Literature degree with elite training and battled through injury setbacks including a ruptured quad in 2022, said it was "definitely time for me to come of age here."
And come of age she did.
The Race: From Seventh To First In 90 Metres π₯
At almost six feet tall, Hunt isn't typically the quickest off the blocks β and she was seventh in the eight-athlete field after just 10 metres, according to BBC Sport.
But then she did what she does best: she powered through the field with a trademark strong finish, going from fifth to first over the second half of the race.
She raised her arms in celebration as she crossed the line, breaking the 11-second barrier and leaving Poland's Ewa Swoboda (11.02) and Belgium's Delphine Nkansa (11.06) to battle for silver and bronze.
Defending champion Dina Asher-Smith, whose British record Hunt is now chasing, finished fifth in 11.10.
"I Want It All" β And She's Not Shy About It π
Before the championships, Hunt quoted High School Musical character Sharpay Evans, who sings "I Want It All" in the film. Yes, really.
"I want it all and I'm someone who doesn't shy away from what she knows she can do," Hunt said. "I knew I could come away with gold. I had such a big premonition."
The confidence was justified. Hunt had broken the 11-second barrier for the first time earlier this season and arrived in Birmingham β where she'd competed as a 13-year-old at English Schools β full of belief.
"I just had such a magical feeling," she said. "I've won English Schools here, raced here as a 13, 14-year-old. I just had a feeling that this was going to be my night."
And what a night it was. Britain's first gold medal of the championships, delivered by a sprinter who set a women's under-18 200m world record back in 2019 but had to wait six years through injuries and setbacks to fulfil her potential.
The Tea β
- Amy Hunt won European 100m gold in 11.00 seconds in Birmingham, her first senior international title
- Her parents gifted her gold earrings two nights before the race with a note saying "it was time for gold" β she usually wears all silver
- She came from seventh at 10m to first at the finish line with her signature strong finish
- Hunt quoted High School Musical before the champs and said she "had a premonition" she'd win gold
What's Next?
Hunt isn't done yet. She'll compete in the 200m later this week, plus the women's and mixed 4x100m relay events. That's potentially three more chances to add to her medal haul.
"My first gold. I think it was definitely time for an upgrade, and I'm now kind of fully established," she said.
Fully established, fully confident, and fully THAT girl. We love to see it. π
So, are you Team Hunt for more gold this week, or do you think someone else will steal the spotlight? Sound off below!
Sources:
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