Dina Asher-Smith Makes Shocking Switch Back to London After Leaving Top US Coach

British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith is making the headlines again, not just for her scorching run on the track but for a poignant reflection on her recent London return after a US coaching spell with celebrated coach Edrick Floreal.

The 29-year-old athlete put on a stunning show at the 2025 UK Championships. She took gold in the 200m event with a 22.14s time, a championship record, and just pipped emerging star Amy Hunt in a tight finish.

A reaction time of 0.149 gave her a slight edge over Hunt's 0.168 to take a convincing victory and send a strong message ahead of the Paris 2025 Olympics.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Asher-Smith moved into Floreal's elite training group in late 2023. She took months to adjust to life and sport on the other side of the Atlantic.

Floreal, who previously trained Olympic 100m winner Julien Alfred and briefly worked with 400m hurdles sensation Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, had a good pedigree. But it did not seem like the ideal fit for the British record holder.

"Oh, I love it. I'm such a London girl. Such a London girl. I tried. Tried. I tried but I'm back. I tried. I promise I tried my hardest," Asher-Smith admitted after her victory at the UK Championships.

"But yeah, I mean of course I'm Tokyo literally creeping up. We do 6 weeks. So, we still got so I mean it's not long but it's long. Yeah, I'm excited."

The move to the US was a significant one for Asher-Smith, who had spent 19 years being coached by coach John Blackie. Having spent nearly two decades with her junior coach, the transition to Floreal was a wise one to refresh her training ahead of an Olympic year.

In spite of the turbulence, Asher-Smith has recorded commendable results throughout the 2025 season. She finished a runner-up in the 200m at the London Diamond League and took top-three positions in the 100m at Stockholm (10.93s) and Oslo (11.08s) Diamond League events. Her results reiterate that she is still a force to be reckoned with at the international level, even as she manages transitions off the track.

At the UK Championships, she began her path to gold by taking Heat 3 comfortably in 22.90 seconds. She then improved in the final with a record-breaking run.

After her victory, Asher-Smith went to Instagram to thank her support group and the journey thus far. Her caption was one of humility and determination as she looks to gain momentum towards Paris 2025.

"I am the British 200m Champion with a new Championship Record of 22.14 ???? I'm so excited to continue improving and I'm thankful to all of the lovely, hardworking, and committed people who have supported me to get to this point, and who will continue to work to help us achieve our ambitions," she posted.

She also kept things light, making a joke about having a bad hair day at the event and instead posting a picture from the London Diamond League.

Other athletes such as Keely Hodgkinson, Jemma Reekie, and Sarah Lavin joined in with comments about how good she looked, highlighting the friendships at the top of British athletics.

With the Olympics countdown in progress, Asher-Smith's return to home environs—and home coaching roots—could well prove the catalyst she needs. Her eyes are set on glory, whether in London or on the global stage, and on current form, she's right on schedule.