Keely Hodgkinson Targets First World Title After Breaking Indoor 800m Record
British Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson believes she is in peak condition to secure her first world title this weekend, following her stunning performance last month where she shattered the indoor 800m world record. The 24-year-old athlete is the clear favorite for gold at the world indoor championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland, and expressed strong confidence in her training progress after her record-breaking run.
Record-Breaking Performance and Training Momentum
In February, Hodgkinson obliterated the previous indoor 800m world record held by Jolanda Ceplak, clocking an impressive time of 1 minute 54.87 seconds in Liévin. When asked if she has built on that momentum in training, Hodgkinson responded positively, stating, "Yeah, training's gone really well. I'm very happy with where I am." She explained that as the indoor season progresses, with faster races and adjusted training regimens, she naturally gains even more shape, which she finds exciting.
Hodgkinson begins her competition with heats on Friday morning, and her chances have been bolstered by the absence of her main rival, Tsige Duguma. Duguma, who finished second behind Hodgkinson at the Paris Games in 2024, was among four Ethiopian athletes unable to travel to Poland due to visa issues. However, Hodgkinson emphasized that the championships are not solely about fast times but also about the strategic challenge of performing well across three rounds over three days.
Championship Challenges and Medal Aspirations
"Fast times are obviously really great, but championships are just completely different and having three rounds in three days is another curveball," Hodgkinson added. She acknowledged the toughness of such a schedule, noting she has experienced it before and prefers a day off, but remains optimistic. "This last month has been great. I couldn't ask to be in a better position to be honest."
A medal at this event would complete Hodgkinson's collection, as she has already achieved podium finishes at the Olympics, world championships, European championships both indoors and outdoors, and the Commonwealth Games. However, she has missed out on the world indoors three times previously due to injuries. "It's the one medal I don't have so it would be really great to box that one off," she said, while cautiously adding, "Until I've crossed the finish line, I'm not going to jinx anything. But I'm excited to be here and excited to compete."
Hodgkinson's focus remains on the competition ahead, with her record-breaking run serving as a strong foundation for her title aspirations. Her confidence and preparation position her as a standout contender in the world indoor athletics scene.
