Keely Hodgkinson has described her season as a 'rollercoaster' after finishing second at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship on Saturday. The 800m Olympic champion was runner-up to Swiss athlete Audrey Werro, who crossed the line in one minute and 55.88 seconds, with Hodgkinson clocking one minute and 56.26 seconds.
Silver behind Werro again
It was the Team GB star's latest second-place finish after also taking silver behind Werro at the European Championships. The 24-year-old sat out the final Diamond League events due to injury, having torn her hamstring at the European Championships.
Despite the setbacks, Hodgkinson secured the World Indoor title and set a new indoor world record earlier in the season.
'Really proud of my team and me'
"If I had one word to sum up this season, a rollercoaster is what I would describe it as," Hodgkinson told Athletics Weekly. "Honestly, from the outside, I think people probably think I'm disappointed with that.
"I was obviously going for the win but have had a tricky couple of weeks. I did pick up an injury during the European final so it was very touch and go if I was going to be here, what my body could handle.
"So I'm actually really proud of my team and me and how we've handled it and come back. It's really not ideal having an injury in the middle of the season but I came and finished second in the world.
"It's not where I want to be but so much further than I thought I was going to be three weeks ago. I'm not going to be too hard on myself with that and just move on from it and come back next year."
Prize money and injury struggles
Hodgkinson picked up £55,000 in prize money, with champion Werro earning double that figure. The Olympic gold medallist was also sidelined for the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships due to muscle tightness earlier in the season.
The reigning World Indoor champion was open about her struggles to recover in time for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. "If you were to ask a lot of athletes, I'm sure half of them will tell you they're probably carrying niggles, injuries and stuff," she said. "It's part of the sport.
"But the adversity and how you overcome that. I think I've proved to myself I can do difficult things in difficult circumstances."
