Hodgkinson expresses satisfaction with his progress, gearing up for the World Championships in Tokyo
After a year-long hiatus due to a hamstring injury, two-time world silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson is set to make her comeback in the 800m race at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia, Poland, on Saturday.
The competition in Poland takes place just a month before the world championships in Tokyo, making it a crucial stepping stone for Hodgkinson as she prepares for her return to the international stage.
Several top rivals, including Kenya's Mary Moraa, Ethiopian Tsige Duguma, and South African Prudence Sekgodiso, will be absent from the competition, but Hodgkinson will face strong opposition from the likes of the Australian duo of Abbey Caldwell and Catriona Bisset, American Raevyn Rogers, and Slovakia's Gabriela Gajanova.
Oratile Nowe of Botswana holds the best season's best time of 1min 57.49sec, making for a promising line-up in the two-lap race.
Hodgkinson expressed enthusiasm about returning to competition, stating, "I can't wait to get out there and just give it my absolute best." She added that the good times are sweeter after the frustrating year she has had.
Unfortunately, Hodgkinson had to withdraw from the Keely Klassic event in February due to a hamstring injury and also missed last month's Diamond League meet in London. However, she marked her comeback by running an 800m race in 1:57.74, demonstrating strong form after her recovery.
The British athlete's past performances include multiple world and Olympic silver medals and European titles, cementing her as one of Britain's top middle-distance runners. After her injury, her return was confirmed for the Lausanne meet in late August 2025, with the World Championships being a major upcoming target where she aims to upgrade her previous silver medals.
Most recently, Hodgkinson secured another silver at the 2025 World Championships and contributed to relay bronze medals, helping Great Britain achieve a joint-best performance of 10 medals at the event.
Georgia Hunter Bell, Hodgkinson's in-form training partner, will race the 1,500m in Chorzow instead of the 800m. Meanwhile, Hodgkinson and Hunter Bell are expected to go head-to-head over 800m at the Lausanne Diamond League next week.
Following 800m wins at the Diamond League events in Stockholm and London, Hunter Bell will also compete in the longer event against Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay and Diribe Welteji in Poland.
The upcoming competition in Poland marks the end of a long road back from Hodgkinson's hamstring injury, and fans are eager to see her return to her dominant form. Hodgkinson has her sights set on Tokyo and is determined to make a strong showing at the world championships.
The upcoming competition in Poland serves as a significant stepping stone for Keely Hodgkinson as she aims to make her comeback in the sports world after a year-long hiatus. Despite the absence of several top rivals, Hodgkinson will face stiff competition in the 800m race, with competitors such as Abbey Caldwell, Catriona Bisset, Raevyn Rogers, and Gabriela Gajanova all presenting challenges.
