Keely Hodgkinson wins first world indoor title with dominant championship record in Poland

Posted : 23 March 2026

Keely Hodgkinson secured her first World Indoor title with a commanding performance in the women’s 800m final on Sunday. The 24-year-old Olympic champion crossed the finish line in one minute 55.30 seconds. This result set a new championship record and marked her as the first British woman to win a world 800m title indoors or outdoors.

The victory in Torun, Poland, serves as a major comeback for the athlete following an injury-plagued 2025 season. Hodgkinson previously suffered two serious hamstring injuries that kept her off the track for over a year after her Paris 2024 success. Her training camp has nicknamed her "Keely 2.0" to reflect her improved physical strength and resilience following extensive gym rehabilitation.

The race was defined by Hodgkinson's tactical superiority and raw speed. She finished more than a full second ahead of her nearest competitors. Switzerland’s Audrey Werro was considered the primary threat but could not keep pace with the Briton’s record-breaking stride.

This gold medal was part of a sensational 28-minute window for the British athletics team. Training partner Georgia Hunter Bell and pole vaulter Molly Caudery also secured gold medals during the same session. Combined with Josh Kerr’s 3,000m win on Saturday, Great Britain achieved its most successful World Indoor Championships in history.

Despite her individual success, Hodgkinson faced obstacles leading up to the event. The airline transporting her gear lost her kit, forcing her to prepare in borrowed spikes. These ill-fitting shoes caused blisters, yet they did not hamper her performance during the heats or the final.

Following her individual triumph, Hodgkinson returned to the track for the women’s 4x400m relay. She recorded the fastest split of the entire event at 50.10 seconds during the anchor leg. However, the initial deficit was too large to overcome, and the British team missed out on a relay medal.

Hodgkinson now looks toward the outdoor season with the goal of complete domination. She aims to upgrade her previous world outdoor silvers to gold later this year. Fans and experts are also watching closely to see if she can challenge the long-standing outdoor world record of 1:53.28.

Keely Hodgkinson wins first world indoor title with dominant championship record in Poland

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics