Keely Hodgkinson Admits She Downplayed Lilian Odira’s Finishing Power

Keely Hodgkinson has opened up about her experience in the women’s 800m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, admitting she underestimated Lilian Odira’s finishing power while sharing her mix of pride and disappointment after finishing third.

The British star went into the competition aiming to strengthen her reputation as one of the best in the world, but things did not unfold as she had hoped. Instead, Odira produced a stunning late surge to claim victory, leaving Hodgkinson with bronze and plenty to think about.

A Champion’s Journey Before Tokyo

Hodgkinson carried significant expectations into the Tokyo showdown. At just 22, she already had an impressive medal collection, including silver at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the very same stadium. She followed that up with another silver at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, a bronze at the 2023 edition in Budapest, and then the crowning moment of her career so far: winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.

With this pedigree, Hodgkinson was widely considered a favorite for another global title. She admitted, however, that she miscalculated Odira’s ability to rise to the occasion.

Recognizing Odira’s Strength

Speaking after the race, Hodgkinson confessed that while she expected the Kenyan to be competitive, she hadn’t anticipated such an explosive finish. That misjudgment ultimately cost her the race as Odira surged past in the final meters.

Odira was among the Kenyans who won gold after clocking 1:54.62, a new personal best and a time that broke a 42-year-old world record of 1:54.68 set by Czech runner Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983. Hodgkinson, meanwhile, secured bronze with 1:54.91.

Reflecting on the outcome, she told Athletics Weekly:

“Coming into the race, I knew she was going to be up there, but I didn’t expect her to go that quickly at the end. That’s the beauty of championship racing, you can never count anyone out.”

Hodgkinson compared the moment to her own breakthrough performance in Tokyo in 2021 when, at 19, she stunned the athletics world with a British record. For her, Odira’s triumph was a reminder of how unpredictable the sport can be.

Pride Mixed With Frustration

Despite securing yet another global medal, Hodgkinson admitted to feeling conflicted. She said part of her was happy to continue standing on the podium, while another part was frustrated because her target was clearly the gold medal.

Her preparation for Tokyo had not been smooth either. Following her Olympic gold in Paris, Hodgkinson struggled with an injury that delayed her season. She only returned to competition in August at the Diamond League meet in Silesia, later racing in Lausanne before heading into the World Championships.

This disrupted buildup may have influenced her performance, but Hodgkinson emphasized that she gave everything she could under the circumstances.

“Right now, it’s a mix of emotions. I’m proud to make another podium, especially after the challenges I’ve faced this year. At the same time, I had high expectations for myself and wanted to add another gold. Maybe with more races under my belt I’d have been sharper, but I did the best I could with the season I had.”

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

Hodgkinson also praised her support team for helping her through what she described as a difficult season. She acknowledged that her consistency at the highest level proves her resilience, even when she falls short of her ultimate goal.

She also highlighted the positives, pointing out that she and her training partner still managed to earn two medals between them, which she described as “amazing” despite not being in the order she had envisioned.

Ultimately, Hodgkinson views this experience as another step in her career journey.

“This sport has ups and downs. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t. But I’m grateful to still be among the world’s best, and I know I’ll come back stronger from this.”

A Determined Outlook

While she left Tokyo without the gold medal she desperately wanted, Hodgkinson’s reflection shows both maturity and hunger. She acknowledged her mistakes, recognized Odira’s brilliance, and expressed determination to use this setback as fuel for future success.

For Hodgkinson, bronze in Tokyo may not have been the dream result, but it reinforced her resilience, her ability to compete at the top level, and her unshakable commitment to chasing more titles in the years ahead.