British Olympic Champion Keely Hodgkinson Closes Season with Victorious 800m Run at New York’s Athlos
Athelas Track Event Wrap-Up: Keely Hodgkinson Triumphs in New York
Keely Hodgkinson’s Stellar Performance in New York
Amidst a season marred by injuries and a challenging bronze medal finish at the World Championships, Keely Hodgkinson ended on a high note by securing victory at the Athelas 800m race in New York. The athlete not only set a meet record with a time of 1:56.53 but also walked away with a $60,000 prize and a Tiffany & Co. crown. Her remarkable performance included surpassing her training partner, Georgia Hunter Bell, who recently bested the Olympic Champion in Tokyo.
Athlas Meet: A Gathering of Track and Field’s Finest
The Athlas meet, which took place at the iconic Icahn Stadium in New York on Friday, featured elite contenders in women’s track and field. Following a unique long jump qualifying round held in Times Square, the event created an electrifying atmosphere that attracted top-tier athletes.
Highlights and Star Performances
- Faith Kipyegon’s Masterclass: Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon showcased her prowess, winning the mile with an impressive time of 4:17.78, outpacing competitors like Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay and American Nikki Hiltz.
- Masai Russell’s Comeback: After a challenging world event, Masai Russell surged to victory in the 100m hurdles, finishing at 12.52 seconds, overcoming American runners Grace Stark and Alaysha Johnson.
- Sprint Double Surprise: Brittany Brown dazzled with a sprint double, seizing victory in the 100m with a time of 10.99 seconds, and later in the 200m with a personal best of 21.89 seconds.
- Marileidy Paulino’s Dominance: Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino secured the 400m win with a time of 50.07 seconds, asserting her dominance on the track.
Historic Long Jump Qualifiers
The long jump event carved a niche in history as its qualifiers were held amidst the vibrant setting of Times Square. Among the competitors was Brit Jazmin Sawyers, who achieved a jump of 6.22 meters, clinching third place after overcoming an Achilles injury.
A New Contender: Femke Bol’s Transition
On the horizon is a new competitor in the 800m field, Femke Bol. The 25-year-old Dutch athlete, renowned for her accolades in the 400m hurdles, announced her transition to the 800m. This move adds a new layer of excitement as Keely Hodgkinson and Bol are set to face off at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham next year.
The Athlas meet in New York highlighted a week of thrilling performances and notable athlete transitions, ensuring a promising future for women’s track and field.
