Keely Hodgkinson delivered a stunning comeback performance, clocking 1:54.74 in the 800m at Silesia in her first race for 376 days. The Olympic champion had been sidelined since last summer due to a series of hamstring injuries.
The time represents the ninth-fastest 800m performance in history and was just 0.15 seconds shy of her national record. More remarkably, it was almost two seconds faster than the season's second-best performance of 1:56.64 posted by Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma in May.
Dominant world lead established
The performance immediately establishes Hodgkinson as the overwhelming favourite for the World Championships in Tokyo. According to the BBC, the championships run from 13-21 September. She currently holds two world silver medals and will be seeking to convert that into gold.
"I was just happy to step on the track after more than a year," Hodgkinson said. "As I got closer to the race I got more and more relaxed. I enjoyed the feeling of the race."
Strategic preparation approach
The Olympic champion acknowledged her limited preparation schedule ahead of Tokyo. "I planned to run a fast time because I do not have five races anymore before Tokyo. I only have today and the meeting in Lausanne. So it had to be fast and I am happy that it worked."
Hodgkinson will race again in Lausanne on Wednesday alongside training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell, who finished third in yesterday's 1500m. Hunter-Bell is considering competing over both distances at the World Championships, having previously admitted she felt it would be easier to win an 800m medal.
After Lausanne, Hodgkinson will enter another training block before departing for Japan. The comeback performance sends a clear message to her rivals about her readiness to challenge for world gold.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Mirror", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
