Keely Hodgkinson Reveals Comeback Secrets After Ending Season With 800m Victory

Reigning Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson has made a rare confession that her recent injury lay-off may have played into her hands after ending her season with a commanding victory at the women-only Athlos meet in New York. 

The 23-year-old Briton stormed to victory in one minute and 56.53 seconds on Friday evening, capping off a comeback season defined by patience, resilience, and rediscovered joy.

Hodgkinson, who claimed Olympic gold in Paris last year, spent more than 12 months on the sidelines recovering from a hamstring tear and a series of setbacks during her rehabilitation. 

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Despite missing most of the season, she looked sharp and composed in New York, controlling the race from start to finish at a packed Icahn Stadium.

Fellow Briton and training partner Georgia Hunter Bell, the world silver medallist, finished second in 1:58.33, while St Vincent’s Shafiqua Maloney came third in 1:58.57.

“I’ve barely raced this season so it was probably less of a struggle for me to go out there and want to give it something,” Hodgkinson told reporters after her win.

 “The atmosphere out there is crazy so it was really, really fun.”

The Olympic champion’s performance marked a perfect end to a challenging year that saw her return to medal contention with a bronze at last month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. 

Friday’s victory, however, was a powerful reminder that even after months of setbacks, Hodgkinson remains a dominant force in middle-distance running.

Hodgkinson admitted that the injury-enforced break might have been a blessing in disguise, allowing her to refresh mentally and reignite her competitive edge. 

The time away from the track gave her a chance to reset, focus on long-term recovery, and return with renewed motivation.

“It’s been a challenging few months,” she said earlier in the week.

“But I’ve tried to stay patient, listen to my body, and remember why I love doing this. Getting back on the track tonight and feeling strong again means everything.”

Her win came amid a festive and empowering atmosphere at the Athlos meet, now in its second year. 

The event, which celebrates women’s athletics with live music and entertainment, swapped traditional medals for Tiffany & Co. crowns. 

The honours were presented by 23-time tennis major winner Serena Williams, who attended alongside her husband, Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian.

Hodgkinson’s victory was one of several standout performances on a glittering evening that featured some of the sport’s biggest names. 

Kenya’s three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon clinched victory in the mile with a time of 4:17.78, while American sprinter Brittany Brown secured the sprint double by winning both the 100m and 200m.

The Athlos meet also boasted one of the largest prize purses in athletics, with last year’s winners taking home $60,000 (£44,603), underlining the event’s growing reputation as a premier destination for female athletes.