Greg Rutherford and Dina Asher-Smith shine in Amsterdam
Last Updated: 07/07/16 10:56pm
Greg Rutherford maintained his impressive winning run at major championships by retaining his European long jump title, while Dina Asher-Smith blitzed the field to win the 200m in Amsterdam.
The 29-year-old blew away any fitness concerns by leaping out to 8.25 metres on his penultimate attempt to overhaul Sweden's Michel Torneus by just four centimetres.
His victory at the Dutch capital's Olympic Stadium came minutes after Asher-Smith became the first British woman to win a 200m European title with her first major senior crown.
Tiffany Porter added a third medal with bronze in the 100m hurdles as Great Britain's athletes kick-started their continental campaign in style on day two of competition.
Olympic champion Rutherford has not tasted defeat at a major championship since 2013, a run which now incorporates two European titles, a world title and a Commonwealth crown.
"I'm thrilled, this is my fifth major title now and I don't think many have done that before," said Rutherford.
"I've retained the European title, but for me whilst it is all well and good being the best in Europe, for me it's about being the best in the world. I'll go into Rio fully expecting to do the same again as I feel some things are coming together."
Asher-Smith, who was a kit carrier at London 2012, crossed the line in a season's best 22.37 seconds.
"I didn't expect it. I knew I was in a good position going in, but at the same time I knew I had to go in there and actually run a good race.
"My mum's here. I saw her on the victory lap, she was jumping up and down crying at me.
"Hopefully I've got a bit more in me. Knowing the way my coach likes to peak our seasons there should be a bit left."
James Ellington had to settle for fifth in the 100m in 10.19 as Holland's Churandy Martina took a shock victory in 10.07, much to the delight of the home crowd.
There was worse news for Ellington's team-mate Richard Kilty, who was disqualified in the final for a false start.
Elsewhere, Christine Ohuruogu, still looking to seal her spot on the team for Rio after missing the trials due to a virus, progressed to the 400m final, stepping up her level to take 0.65 off her season's best in clocking 51.35.
