Keely Hodgkinson has launched her 2026 campaign in spectacular style, smashing her own British indoor 800m record at the UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
The Olympic silver medallist, aged 23, dominated the heats with a stunning time of 1:56.33, eclipsing her previous national mark of 1:57.18.
Her performance ranks as the quickest 800m run anywhere in the world for nearly a quarter of a century, placing her third on the all-time list for the distance.
The Atherton-born athlete will not be lining up for Sunday's final, having revealed her intentions to withdraw from the championship decider earlier this week.
Instead, Hodgkinson is turning her attention to continental competition, with the Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophee in France her next target.
The decision to bypass the domestic final allows the middle-distance star to manage her schedule ahead of what promises to be another demanding season on the international circuit.
Hodgkinson said: "I’m in really good shape at the moment and I’ve seen in training I am and we have some high hopes for the next couple of weeks for the indoors. Today was about practising that first 200m.
"A good start makes such a difference. I accidentally got the best. We wanted to practice that, 1.56, not bad. I have high hopes for next week. Considering I didn’t have to do both rounds, why would I? It may sound a little bit odd to some people. We came to a mutual agreement and I got a nice time."
Keely Hodgkinson has launched her 2026 campaign in spectacular style
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Hodgkinson blitzed through the opening 200m in 27.36secs before reaching 400m in 56.28s, and the reigning Olympic champion left her opponents trailing.
She missed this event last year through a hamstring injury and is not taking anything for granted after a frustrating year.
Hodgkinson added: "I’ve had my healthiest winter for years, consistent habits and I think that shows it there. I’m enjoying it, was excited to come out today, was a bit worried about the one round situation but it’s the best thing for me at the moment.
"I’m not taking any of it for granted to be honest. It was so frustrating being on the sidelines for such a long time. I’m just happy to be able to an indoors and pick what I’m able to do and have nothing holding me back."
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Keely Hodgkinson smashed her own British indoor 800m record at the UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham
|GETTY
Elsewhere, Dina Asher-Smith took the women’s 60m crown in 7.05, ahead of World Championship silver medallist Amy Hunt who finished second.
Following an explosive start, Asher-Smith emerged as a front runner alongside Hunt but the three-time Olympic medallist cruised home in the end to claim gold.
She said: "I’m happy, I feel very capable and confident. That’s a great time and I’m happy with my performances today.
"I’ve learned so much over the past few years. I’ve been enjoying training in this environment, I’ve got to be confident and happy in myself as an athlete and as a person and you are seeing that."
The Olympic silver medallist, aged 23, dominated the heats
|GETTY
Hunt, who won World Championship silver in the women’s 200m in Tokyo last September, insists her confidence has risen despite defeat.
She added: "Obviously, it not nice to lose to one of your biggest rivals, so I’m slightly frustrated. But on the plus side we are getting a lot more consistent.
"The medals made me into a more confident runner and person. I’m super excited for outdoors."
Jeremiah Azu retained his British indoor title with victory in the men’s 60m final, coming home in 6.56 seconds with Romell Glave runner-up in 6.62secs and will aim to defend the world indoor title he won last year in Poland next month.
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