Keely Hodgkinson breaks British indoor 800m record on return to track

Hodgkinson mentioned: “First race, to open like that, I couldn’t be any happier actually. I simply wished to go on the market, take pleasure in it in entrance of a house crowd and do one thing particular like that. So I’m actually completely satisfied.

“To return out and do that, see folks I’ve not seen in a very long time, I actually take pleasure in it. I’ve the most effective job on the planet I believe!”

Hodgkinson’s breakthrough 2021 noticed her change into the youngest ever 800m European indoor champion in March earlier than then breaking Kelly Holmes’ British file as she claimed the Olympic silver medal on the summer time’s Tokyo Video games.

Concerning the yr forward, she mentioned: “I’m undoubtedly excited. I believe from final yr, I undoubtedly have extra confidence in myself, however I additionally anticipate extra.

“I don’t have a gold but, that’s undoubtedly the purpose, nevertheless it’s not going to be straightforward, particularly with the People on American soil (on the World Championships in Eugene). However it’s undoubtedly a problem I’m up for and I’ll give it my greatest shot.

“Birmingham (the Commonwealth Video games) is unquestionably on my record to do, and the Europeans (in Munich) we’ll see as a result of my coach says I’m younger, you need to have a protracted profession, take it straightforward. So we’ll see what’s happening.”

Requested if she felt extra stress beginning this yr, Hodgkinson mentioned: “I’d in all probability simply say there’s extra eyes on what I’m doing. Stress – I don’t actually see it like that. I really feel like stress comes from your self.”

Hodgkinson was provided top-level funding on the British Athletics Olympic World Class Programme in October, and he or she added: “I believe it’s undoubtedly been an uncomfortable shift, as a result of a lot has occurred without delay, however I’ve simply been adjusting and getting used to now being a correct skilled athlete.

“I’m actually having fun with it, it’s what I’ve at all times wished to do, it’s simply come sooner than I assumed.”

Saturday’s motion in Birmingham additionally included five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah successful the 60m, the Jamaican posting a time of seven.08 seconds as she completed forward of Britain’s Daryll Neita, who ran a private greatest of seven.11.

Thompson-Herah mentioned: “It’s a very good win and though I wished to go underneath seven seconds I’m good.

“It’s a part of my coaching course of and I’m nonetheless excited about the World Indoors (in Belgrade in March).”

The boys’s 60m occasion – gained by American Noah Lyles – noticed GB’s Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake fail to make the ultimate, ending seventh in his warmth a day on from the announcement that he had misplaced the 4x100m relay silver he claimed on the Tokyo Olympics attributable to CJ Ujah’s failed medication check.

Sweden’s Tokyo gold medallist Armand Duplantis gained the pole vault competitors with a top of 6.05m, simply failing to set a brand new world file as he toppled the bar at 6.19m.

Reekie completed seventh in a 1,000m race gained by fellow Briton Isabelle Boffey in 2:38.35.