Dina Asher-Smith is the overwhelming favourite to become the first British woman in history to win 200m gold at the World Championships.

The 23-year-old won her semi-final in Doha in 22.16s and, in the absence of some of the bigger names in women’s sprinting, is expected to take the title on Wednesday evening.

She also underlined her credentials as one of the nicest competitors in the sport by helping a stricken rival from the track and into a wheelchair after the race.

If Asher-Smith were to win the final it would be her first individual title at senior level and complete her ascent to the pinnacle of world sprinting.

She will be cheered on by teachers and students at Newstead Wood girls’ school in Orpington, Kent, which she attended.

PE teacher Vikki Eason is already looking ahead to next year’s Tokyo Olympics. “I remember her saying when she was younger that she wants to be an Olympian, that’s the thing I always remember her saying.

“She wants to get to that place and be that person,” she added. “So I am looking forward to next year, you can never say anything’s a dead set because things to happen. But if she stays fit and healthy and with her work ethic I am looking forward to the Olympics next year and the rest of the world championships.”

Asher-Smith achieved excellent GCSE and A-level results, graduating with a history degree from King’s College London in 2017.

Just a year later, she became the first British athlete to secure a sprint treble at the European Championships, winning 100m, 200m and 4x100m gold.

History teacher Natasha Smith admired the way she balanced sport with academia. “Despite all the lessons she missed whilst competing she never skipped a beat – her work was always in on time she was always completely prepared for lessons,” she said.

“I think it’s important to say that even though she is phenomenal on track, you can’t underestimate the intelligence of this young woman. She could have gone to the top university – Oxford or Cambridge, she was amazing.”

Already at these world championships, Asher-Smith has won a silver medal in the 100m, her moment of glory diminished only by the dismal crowds in Qatar.

But she showed no signs of fatigue from those exertions and is on the brink of her biggest ever victory.

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