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2 weeks ago
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These World Athletics Championships witnessed another shock on Sunday as Britain’s Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson had to settle for bronze after a thrilling three-way shootout down the final straight.
In front of her – just – was her team-mate and training partner, Georgia Hunter-Bell, who took silver. It was the first time since 1993, when Colin Jackson and Tony Jarrett duked it out in the 110m hurdles, that two Britons had made the podium in the same world championship race.
But neither had an answer to unheralded Kenyan Lilian Odira, who came wide swooped late to win in 1min 54.62 sec, a personal best of nearly two seconds. The 26-year-old Odira was ranked 17th in the world before this race. Now, incredibly, she is world champion.
Hodgkinson ran hugely creditably, and her time of 1:54.91 was her third fastest ever. But she surely felt the effects of having to run three times in four days, after missing more than a year of racing because of three hamstring injuries.
“I thought I had it!” revealed Hodgkinson, who was leading as she came into the home straight. “I didn’t feel Odira coming. I did my best to hang on, but the legs didn’t quite have it. It’s been a really difficult here but I’ve made the podium and that’s something to be proud of.”
Hunter-Bell, meanwhile, was understandably delighted to take silver, in 1:54.90 - a personal best of nearly a second. “It’s the fastest time I have ever run,” said the 31-year-old. I’m so happy. I’m looking forward to a break!”
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The race was a burn up from the start with another Kenyan, Mary Moraa, going through the first 200m in 26.46 and through 400m in 55.73. Hodgkinson was right beside her but as the race entered the final straight she began to tire, and neither she or Hunter-Bell had an answer when Odira struck for glory.
