British star continues remarkable comeback
Keely Hodgkinson underlined her status as the world’s leading 800m runner by storming to victory in Lausanne with a meeting record of 1:55.69. In cold, wet conditions, the 22-year-old Briton finished 10 metres ahead of her rivals, claiming her second win in five days and proving her return from multiple hamstring injuries is complete. She erased Maria Mutola’s 2002 record of 1:56.25 and clocked the second-fastest time of the year. Hodgkinson described the result as “a solid performance” and the ideal start to her season ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo.
Mixed fortunes for other British athletes
Audrey Werro of Switzerland claimed second in 1:57.34 after overtaking Georgia Hunter Bell in the final metres, leaving the Olympic 1500m bronze medallist disappointed with her third-place finish. Hunter Bell must now decide whether to run the 800m or 1500m in Tokyo. In the men’s 800m, Max Burgin looked set for victory but faded in the rain, finishing fourth as American Josh Hoey surged late to win in 1:42.82 ahead of Emmanuel Wanyonyi. Meanwhile, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita endured difficult outings in the women’s 200m, finishing fifth and seventh respectively as Brittany Brown took victory in 22.23.
Seville stuns Lyles in men’s 100m
In one of the night’s biggest surprises, Olympic champion Noah Lyles was beaten into second place in the men’s 100m. Jamaica’s Oblique Seville ran a blistering 9.87 seconds in the rain to claim victory, leaving Lyles with 10.02 in another setback after his defeat to Kishane Thompson just four days earlier.
Outlook for the World Championships
Hodgkinson’s dominant win sends a clear message ahead of the global stage: the British star is in peak form and ready to challenge for gold. With Lyles struggling for momentum and other British athletes still searching for top speed, Lausanne highlighted both promise and concern before the World Championships in Tokyo.
