UK Relays - State of Play

[marra]

So Azu's post race interview for the U23s very strongly indicated that he expects to be on leg 1, as most of us expected. I think Azu-Hughes-Efoloko is probably a given for the first 3 legs. It's really just a case of who is the anchor.

[carterhatch]

With Asha Philip seemingly not running through injury, then Bianca Williams who is showing very good form of recent, might well find herself part of a quartet for Budapest with DASHER on the first leg? As someone suggested up thread, this has UK record breaking potential ...

[carterhatch]

England's quartet finished second in Birmingham's Commonwealth Games in August 2022, but race winners Nigeria have been disqualified following an anti-doping violation, so have now been upgraded to gold.

Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Daryll Neita ran 42.41 seconds to finish behind a Nigeria quartet that included Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha who has since been disqualified.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/66202427

[Loop-guru]

For the Women's "A" team and with Asha Philip (possibly out) and Beth Dobbin (definitely out) there could be by neccessity some new recruits. For the bends have Finnette Agyapong and Cassie-Ann Pemberton put themselves front and centre in the selectors minds and come to the fore at precisely the right time. We seem to have a UK record breaking quartet if the stars align.

[Runner88]

DAS - Lansiquot - Williams - Neita

This one picks itself really. I’m not sure who comes in for a heat if one of the above isn’t available. We might get an idea after the U23. Possibly Awuah but I don’t think she’d be my first pick.

Azu - Hughes - Efoloku - Prescod

Again similar team to last year. Amo-Dadzie could hopefully come in on the anchor if needed, otherwise I’d make sure Gemili is around for his experience and versatility. I think he is rounding into form as well after what we saw at the weekend

[marra]

It could just be my imagination but the most impressive part of Dina's races to me in recent weeks has been her start. Because of that, I'd probably go DAS-DN-Bianca-Imani order myself. I think that team essentially picks itself, in whatever order it goes, given AP's probable absence. And joining them would be whichever 2 of the U23 squad is most impressive this week.

On the men's I'd probably go Azu-Hughes-Efoloko-Prescod. That's the front three of the EC winning team from last year. I think if Amo-Dadzie is picked for the 100m, he has to be in the relay squad as well, doesn't he? For the final spot, I think I'd personally choose NMB (if fit) or Gemili. Neither are likely to be particularly great performances time wise but both have a wealth of experience on multiple different legs over the years.


Although with the timetable clash, assuming that the athletes are not comfortable doubling in a session, you have to question whether our B teams will be good enough to get through the heats. Some other countries who aren't as likely to have a potential finalist in the 200m might be going full strength in the heats. Some tough decisions ahead.

[Occasional Hope]

There's Oliver Bromby as an option as well, he's run well this year. And I'm not sure we want to rush to bring CJ back while we have other options, but he's there too.

[Ladyloz]

Even if Azu just had some cramp on Saturday; it wouldn't surprise me to see him pull out of the U23s as a precaution. In fact at this point I'm going to be more surprised if he is there. He won this title 2 years ago; I'd rather he sit it out than jeopardise the rest of his season.

[Occasional Hope]

Azu is due to run in the u23s this week, so that should give us an answer as to his fitness.

[Ladyloz]

Asha was a DNF at a race on 30th June and didn't compete at the weekend so one assumes so.

[Rhondda Celt]

Re the women's sprint relay. I was really impressed by Bianca this weekend and in Poland. Is Asha out injured?

[Ladyloz]

For the women I'd leave Dina on 3rd and have Bianca on 1st. Was good to see Finette Agyepong in an encouraging return to form yesterday; so probably her & Awuah as reserves assuming Asha is not fit. Maybe one of the U23s will stick their hands up later this week.

For the men there are a few what if's which will need clarifying in the coming weeks. Is NMB out for the season and even if he were to come back what sort of form will he be in? What is Azu's fitness situation after the final on Saturday; if fit he is definitely first choice on leg 1 for me. Where is Prescod's head at the moment with regards to relays; hopefully a positive one but if not I think I wouldn't mind using Zharnel on anchor although he does run some great leg 2 races. I wouldn't rule Adam out; probably not 1st choice at this point but he was just behind Ferguson & Efoloko yesterday and crucially has the experience of running every single leg at some point. Speaking of Ferguson; I did see footage of him training at World Champs last year with the squad last year; hopefully he has been involved since but not totally sure. I am going to assume Amo-Dadzie hasn't been involved in training to date but obviously the right thing to now bring him into the fold. Given his present form & his recent DQ at European Team Champs; perhaps time to say Thanks for your past service Mr Kilty and move on.

One thing to bear in mind ahead of Budapest is that for some stupid reason both of the 200m finals are scheduled for the same session as the 4x100m heats. That likely means no Zharnel for the men and no Dina/Daryll for the women so we will probably need to change personnel between heats & finals which is not ideal but no other choice given the circumstances.

Given the above; we need to use the London Diamond League to try out combinations that may be used in the heats; they usually have GB A & B teams run there so an ideal opportunity.

[Occasional Hope]

Amo Dadzie if he joins the practices? He won’t have any relay experience though so it’s a risk.

[SprintRelayFan]

So after the weekend the women's seems fairly clear - Dina-Imani-Bianca-Daryl with Kristal in reserve.
However the men's where do you start??? NMB MIA, KIlty not yet back, Adam seems done. No sign of Ojie
Prob some combo of Azu, Prescod, Efoluku and Zharnel?

[MysteryBrick]

Please, there's already one grumpy old man on this forum, we don't need more!