Keely Hodgkinson didn't just break the women's indoor 800m world record. She shattered a mark that has stood since the day she was born.

Hodgkinson now holds the new World Record in the women's 800m, clocking 1:54.87, which was previously set by Jolanda Ceplak, 1:55.82, on March 3, 2002.

She surpassed Ethiopia’s Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma and Switzerland’s European Under-23 champion Audrey Werro. The 23-year-old went through halfway in 55.56sec. She passed the 600m mark in 1:25.06. And then, all she needed to do was hold that superb form and push enough to break the record.

“That was really fun. I’ve been looking forward to this for a good few weeks”, she said. “It was really hard that last lap, but I am super happy. It’s nice to have a world record and to say about something I am the best to ever do it,” Hodgkinson said.

While talking about the excitement and the work she put in, the star also mentioned the birthday record matter. It “almost felt weird” to break it, but, as she said, “there’s still more to push”. After all, the victory did not come without challenges.

Injuries Pushed Back Keely Hodgkinson’s Run

In 2025, she planned to break Ceplak’s record in her own Keely Klassic event. But then, a hamstring injury followed. That sidelined her for most of the indoor season.

After an eight-hour round trip to Windsor Castle to collect an MBE, Hodgkinson’s existing injury worsened. As a result, it escalated to a grade-two tear.

It threatened her participation in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Although clearly not in top form, Hodgkinson managed to earn a bronze medal.

Hodgkinson’s glorious list includes an Olympic gold and silver. There are also two silvers and a bronze at the world championships. Moving forward, she will aim for a higher feat and more medals next month at the World Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar