Werro outpaces Hodgkinson to win inaugural Ultimate Championship 800m title

Keely Hodgkinson secured a second place finish at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, acknowledging she had been dealing with a torn hamstring. The Olympic champion was once again defeated by her rival Audrey Werro, who has been dominating the competitive event. Werro had previously won gold at the European Championships and taken the top prize of $150,000 in Budapest.

Hodgkinson, while disappointed with her loss, expressed pride in her performance, citing her rehabilitation efforts following an injury during her loss at the Europeans in Birmingham. She was content with her approach, stating she was "actually quite proud of how I approached that." Hodgkinson had appeared strong throughout the season, but Werro's emergence as a formidable force this year has posed a challenge.

The rivalry has been described as a captivating saga, and Hodgkinson expressed excitement about the prospect of facing Werro again next season. She emphasized her love for the rivalry, believing it benefits women's sports by inspiring many talented athletes. Hodgkinson remains optimistic about her future, stating she is only 24 and hopes to continue competing for a long time.