Keely Hodgkinson’s honesty on live TV has caught everyone’s attention after she breezed into the semi-finals of the women’s 800 metres at the World Championships in Tokyo. The British athlete, only 23 and already an Olympic champion, didn’t hold back about the event’s timing, cheekily thanking organisers with more than a hint of irony.
After dominating her heat and finishing with a time of 1:59.79, Keely admitted the heats felt “awful,” despite leading from the get-go. But it wasn’t just her on the track—her training buddy Georgia Hunter Bell shone too, winning her race with a time of 1:58.82. Together, they’re gunning for a British one-two finish!
Keely’s been in Japan for over two weeks, stuck in a preparatory camp, and confessed she was “losing her mind” from boredom before the race. “It’s our turn to have some fun now,” she said excitedly. Despite her impatience, she found pure joy being back in the stadium. Her bubbly optimism shines through every challenge, as she’s dealt with her fair share of them this year, with a hamstring injury and a few setbacks that kept her away from major events.
Returning strongly in Silesia after over a year off the track and delivering a stellar performance has brought her happiness and confidence. Keely is set for more magic in Tokyo, mentioning that scoring a win here would mean even more than last year. Her strength and determination are unmatched, even noting that a bit of extra muscle from her training hasn’t slowed her down, but possibly made her more powerful.
Stay tuned as Keely continues to inspire with her tenacity, hoping to bring home gold for Great Britain. What do you think of her playful callout on the scheduling? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🌟 #KeelyHodgkinson #TokyoWorldChampionships #Athletics