From Setbacks to Comebacks: Hodgkinson's Road to Tokyo

Two torn hamstrings. 376 days sidelined. One explosive return.

Keely Hodgkinson's 2025 season began with heartbreak – a left hamstring tear days before her historic indoor 800m world record attempt at the inaugural Keely Klassic. The injury snowballed, costing her European and World Indoor Championship bids before a catastrophic grade-three tear in her right hamstring threatened her entire season.

"I spiraled. There were days I didn't know if I'd ever race again," the 23-year-old admitted to BBC Sport. "But these setbacks showed me how strong I could be."

The Phoenix Rises

Against medical expectations, Hodgkinson delivered:

• 1:54.74 world-leading time in Silesia (0.13s shy of British record)
• Dominant Diamond League victory in Lausanne
• Unshakable mental resilience developed through hydrotherapy and cognitive training

Her secret? A rebuilt support system:

• Coaches Trevor Painter & Jenny Meadows implementing "micro-session" training
• Sports psychologists addressing post-injury anxiety
• Cross-training with Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Hunter Bell

Tokyo Redemption Arc

Four years after her breakthrough Olympic silver, Hodgkinson returns to Japan's National Stadium with unfinished business:

"The fire's different now," revealed coach Meadows. "She's not just racing opponents – she's racing time lost."

British Dominance in the Making

Hodgkinson and training partner Hunter Bell could make history in Sunday's final:

• First British 800m world championship 1-2
• Potential sub-1:54 time targeting Jarmila Kratochvílová's 40-year-old world record
• New "negative split" strategy perfected during altitude training

"This isn't just a comeback," Hodgkinson stated. "It's proof that champions aren't made in comfort zones."

Watch Live

• World Athletics Championships 800m Final: Sunday 21 Sept, 11:35 BST
• BBC iPlayer & Sports Extra