Keely Hodgkinson Concludes Campaign with Winning Performance at Athlos in New York
Hodgkinson recorded her fastest time of 1:54.61 last year in London.
The Olympic champion finished her 800m season with a triumph at the women-only Athlos event in New York on Friday night.
{The current Olympic gold medallist, who earned bronze at the World Championships last month, dominated an outstanding win in 1:56.53 in what was just her sixth appearance in a season affected by a hamstring injury.
Compatriot and world silver medallist Georgia Hunter Bell finished second once more in 1:58.33, while the athlete from St Vincent Shafiqua Maloney (1:58.57) secured third place.
"I've barely raced this year so it was likely less of a struggle for me to compete and want to give it something," stated the 23-year-old.
"The atmosphere at the event is crazy so it was really, really fun."
The female-exclusive meet filled the stadium in its second edition, introducing a party atmosphere to conventional athletics, with live music and special crowns substituting traditional winners' medals.
The tennis legend with 23 major titles Serena W., who is married to the founder of Athlos Alexis O., was present to award the victors with their tiaras.
Last year's winners took home sixty thousand dollars (£44,603) - one of the largest prize purses in athletics.
The event also drew several top athletes, as Kenya's three-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Faith Kipyegon triumphed in the mile race, finishing in four hours 17.78 minutes.
The US Brittany B., the 200m bronze medallist from last year's Paris Olympics, secured the 100m and 200m double.
Associated Subjects
- Track and Field
- Athlete transitions to 800m with excitement