Keely Hodgkinson produced a breathtaking performance in Poland, storming to victory in the women’s 800m at the Diamond League after more than a year away from competition. The Olympic champion, sidelined for 376 days due to recurring hamstring injuries, announced her return in sensational fashion with a time of 1:54.74 – the fastest in the world this year and the ninth quickest ever recorded.
From the moment the race began, Hodgkinson looked sharp and determined. Tucking in behind the pacemaker Lisanne de Witte, she kept a controlled rhythm through the first lap, which was clocked at 56.09 seconds. The field stretched into single file with Kenya’s Lilian Odira and Botswana’s Oratile Nowe close behind, but once De Witte stepped aside with 300m remaining, Hodgkinson surged ahead with authority.
Entering the home straight, she had built a commanding 10-metre lead. Far from easing up, she pushed harder, crossing the line with her second-fastest career time. Her celebrations spoke volumes – a mixture of joy, relief, and confidence ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo next month.
The depth of the race was equally impressive. Odira secured second with a personal best of 1:56.52, while Nowe set a new national record of 1:56.72 for third. In total, the contest produced seven personal bests and two season’s bests, highlighting the blistering pace and competitive edge Hodgkinson inspired.
Reflecting on the performance, Hodgkinson admitted that the race had to be fast given her limited opportunities before Tokyo. With only two scheduled races ahead of the championships, she used the occasion not only to test her form but also to set a benchmark that confirms her as the athlete to beat in the 800m.
Elsewhere at the meet, middle-distance star Faith Kipyegon came agonizingly close to breaking the long-standing 3,000m world record, finishing in 8:07.04 – less than a second shy of Wang Junxia’s 1993 mark. In the women’s 1500m, Gudaf Tsegay claimed victory in 3:50.52, while Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell impressed with a third-place finish in 3:56.00.
Hodgkinson’s comeback win has sent a powerful message to her rivals: despite a year away, she remains at the peak of her powers and is ready to chase more history on the global stage.
