Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson secured a silver medal in the women’s 800m final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, following a commanding victory in her semi-final heat. Her performance marks a significant comeback after sustaining a hamstring injury just weeks prior to the event.

Keely Hodgkinson’s Remarkable Comeback at World Athletics

The 24-year-old Olympic 800m champion overcame a 4.5cm hamstring tear, an injury she suffered during the warm-up for the European Championships final in Birmingham last month. According to Athletics Weekly, Hodgkinson remarkably chose to race then, refusing to use the injury as an excuse, before taking time to heal. Leading up to Budapest, she had been training at reduced paces, making her second-place finish in the Ultimate Championship final on Saturday, September 12, all the more impactful.

Hodgkinson expressed pride in her performance, telling the BBC that she “didn’t even know if I was going to be here” due to the injury, highlighting the intensive rehabilitation she undertook with her team and doctors. Despite missing out on the £110,000 winner’s prize, she earned £55,000 for her silver medal, as reported by Wales Online.

The 800m Final and Rivalry

In the 800m final, Hodgkinson faced a familiar rival in Switzerland’s Audrey Werro. Werro, who has been dominant outdoors this season, set the pace from the front, leading through the first lap in 57.83 seconds. She ultimately crossed the line in 1:55.88. Hodgkinson produced a strong closing effort to finish in 1:56.26, passing Femke Broeders-Bol, who took bronze in 1:56.74. This 1-2-3 podium mirrored the results from the European Championships, underscoring the consistent rivalry between the three athletes.

Hodgkinson’s indoor season earlier in the year had seen her achieve a world indoor record of 1:54.87 and win the World Indoor Championships with a record of 1:55.30. However, the outdoor season saw Audrey Werro establish herself as the athlete to beat, securing multiple sub-1:54 victories and maintaining an unbeaten outdoor record.

Other British Success and Audience Connection

Fellow Team GB athlete Georgia Hunter-Bell, a training partner of Keely Hodgkinson, also delivered a strong performance at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Hunter-Bell claimed silver in the women’s 1500m final, battling closely with winner Klaudia Kazimierska. She had previously won the world indoor 1500m title in March.

For sports fans across Liverpool and Merseyside, and indeed the wider UK, Hodgkinson’s resilience and performance at a major international championship provide a compelling narrative of athletic determination. As she eyes a potential final race before a well-earned break, her achievements serve as an inspiration. Readers interested in other athletic achievements can find news such as Amy Hunt Claims European 100m Gold, or for different news, US High Schools: Massachusetts Tops 2026 Rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What was Keely Hodgkinson’s result in the World Athletics Ultimate Championship 800m final?

  A: Keely Hodgkinson secured a silver medal, finishing second in the women’s 800m final.

• Q: What injury did Keely Hodgkinson overcome to compete?

  A: She overcame a 4.5cm hamstring tear, suffered weeks before the championship during the European Championships warm-up.

• Q: Who won the women’s 800m final?

  A: Switzerland’s Audrey Werro won the women’s 800m final, maintaining her unbeaten outdoor season record.

• Q: Did any other British athletes perform well at the championship?

  A: Yes, Georgia Hunter-Bell, a training partner of Hodgkinson, won a silver medal in the women’s 1500m final.