No rival has come close to unsettling Keely Hodgkinson’s rhythm in 2026. Yet after gliding into the semi‑finals of the world indoor championships, she disclosed that her preparations were set back when an airline misplaced her equipment for 48 hours on the flight to Poland.
The setback forced the favourite for the 800 m title to train in whatever shoes she could borrow, which left her with a blister. It did not appear to hinder her, as she powered into Saturday’s semi‑finals with a commanding win in 2 min 0.32 sec.
“Everything arrived last night, thank God,” Hodgkinson said. “I was starting to get frustrated. A kind Polish athlete let me use her spikes, and they gave me a blister. I had no kit or supplements, but it’s all sorted now.”
Hodgkinson feels she is in peak condition after returning to form following her world indoor 800 m record last month. She admitted, however, that racing three times in three days in Toruń is not her preference.
“I just don’t like rounds,” she explained. “It was terrible, honestly. When you’re accustomed to a certain training rhythm you have to make sure you get through the rounds, conserve energy and stay upright. All of that runs through your mind.
“I’m experienced now, but anything can happen. I’m just glad that part is over. Tomorrow we push on again.”
Her aim is clear: a first world title. “Obviously I want gold,” the 24‑year‑old said. “Anything less won’t satisfy me. This season has been amazing so far; let’s hope it continues.”
Hodgkinson also voiced relief at finally competing at the world indoor championships after three injury‑ridden attempts.
“In 2022 I reached this point but couldn’t start because I tore my quads. In 2024 a knee injury kept me out of the winter season, so I missed Glasgow. And last year I tore my hamstring just before the event. It’s been emotional.”
Britain’s Isabelle Boffey also advanced to the semi‑finals as a fastest loser, while Swiss runner Audrey Werro, Hodgkinson’s main rival here, set the pace by winning her heat in 1:59.91. “For my birthday next week, the perfect present would be a gold medal,” Werro said.
In the men’s 800 m, Britain’s 2023 world‑championship bronze medallist Ben Pattinson looked strong in winning his heat, as did 17‑year‑old American prodigy Cooper Lutkenhaus, who eased into the semi‑finals in second place.
The first gold of the championships went to Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh in the high jump, clearing 2.01 m. Unusually, three women shared silver after each cleared 1.99 m without prior misses – Ukraine’s Yuliya Levchenko, Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers and Serbia’s Angelina Topic.
Mahuchikh, who competed with blue and yellow eye makeup, said she chose the colours to remind the world of Russia’s aggression.
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