Keely Hodgkinson Shatters 24-Year-Old 800m Indoor World Record
Keely Hodgkinson has done what many thought was nearly impossible, tearing through the indoor 800 meters record that has stood for 24 years. At just 23, the British Olympic champion crossed the line in Liévin with a breathtaking time of 1:54.88, beating Slovenia’s Jolanda Čeplak’s 2002 record by almost a full second. It’s a mark that has stood since the very day Hodgkinson was born, making this moment as poetic as it is historic.
This wasn’t just a routine race. Hodgkinson faced a stacked field, including Ethiopia’s Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma and Switzerland’s European under-23 champion Audrey Werro. From the start, she executed her plan perfectly, hitting the halfway mark in 55.56 seconds and powering through 600 meters in 1:25.06. Her speed and precision underlined that this wasn’t luck — it was the result of careful preparation, mental focus and resilience.
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Hodgkinson’s journey to this record hasn’t been straightforward. Last year, she aimed to break this same record at her own Keely Klassic in Birmingham, only to suffer a hamstring tweak. She then faced additional setbacks, including hamstring and back problems after an eight-hour trip to receive her MBE at Windsor Palace. Despite these challenges, she still secured a bronze at the World Championships in Tokyo, showing the world that her talent and determination were undiminished.
Her reaction after crossing the line was both genuine and human. Breathless but elated, Hodgkinson simply said, “That was really fun,” and acknowledged the support of the crowd that carried her through. It’s a reminder that even at the highest level, joy and passion remain at the heart of athletic achievement.
This performance isn’t just another addition to her growing list of medals and titles. It sets the stage for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, where Hodgkinson will now target one of the few accolades still missing from her resume. Her record-breaking run also sends a message to competitors worldwide: the bar has been raised and the fight for indoor 800m supremacy has entered a new era.
For the global athletics community, Hodgkinson’s achievement is significant. Records like these inspire the next generation of athletes, challenge existing standards and highlight the extraordinary potential of dedication and resilience.
Stay tuned, because the story isn’t over. Keely Hodgkinson is just getting started and the coming months could redefine the landscape of middle-distance running. Keep watching, stay informed and witness history in the making.
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