In a pulse-pounding 800m final at the World Championships held in Budapest, Keely Hodgkinson from Great Britain had to content herself with a silver medal as Mary Moraa of Kenya emerged victorious.
21-year-old Hodgkinson, who had her eyes set on her first international gold, finished the race in 1 minute and 56.34 seconds, a performance that equals her 2022 achievement.
Moraa, on the other hand, clinched the gold by setting a new personal record of 1:56.03. Last year’s defending champion, Athing Mu, had to make do with a bronze in a race that had spectators at the edge of their seats.
Team GB didn’t stop at individual events. They also bagged bronze medals in both the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays, matching their best-ever medal count at any championships. The men’s relay team, consisting of Alex Haydock-Wilson, Charlie Dobson, Lewis Davey, and Rio Mitcham, completed their run with a time of 2:58.71, trailing the United States (2:57.31) and France (2:58.45).
For the women’s 4x400m relay, Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, Ama Pipi, and Nicole Yeargin clocked in at 3:21.04. They came in third behind a breathtaking performance from the Netherlands’ Femke Bol, who had stumbled earlier in the tournament but redeemed herself by leading her team to gold with a time of 3:20.72.
These bronze wins propelled Great Britain’s total medal tally to 10, marking their most successful championships in three decades.
During the final moments of the championship, a gold medal seemed tantalizingly within reach for the British contingent. Hodgkinson, who narrowly missed the world title to Athing Mu last year by just 0.08 seconds, found a gap in the inside track as she tried to outpace Moraa in the race’s closing moments. Despite her disappointment at securing silver, Hodgkinson soon broke into celebrations for her third global medal.
While Athing Mu found her way to bronze, Jemma Reekie rounded out the top five with a fifth-place finish and a time of 1:57.72 in her debut world final.
Hodgkinson’s journey to the podium isn’t just a one-off. It’s a testament to her rising star status in athletics. She has consistently defied expectations, setting new British records and winning her first major outdoor gold at the European Championships just last year.
“I really thought I had it today. But the finish line showed up sooner than I expected,” confessed Hodgkinson, undeterred by the day’s outcome.
Kenyan Mary Moraa, known for her uncanny ability to unleash bursts of speed, proved once again why she is one of the most unpredictable athletes in the field. She seized the lead in the closing moments, leaving Hodgkinson and Mu to scramble for the remaining podium spots.
“As much as I wanted to win, belief is only half the game. One of these days, I’ll top the podium. But today wasn’t that day,” Hodgkinson remarked.
On the final evening of the championships, the spotlight was also on Femke Bol, who secured her second gold, electrifying the crowd. Meanwhile, the British men’s relay team, who had skipped last year’s competition, clinched a significant bronze.
Elsewhere in the championship, Morgan Lake of Great Britain secured a fourth-place finish in the women’s high jump, clearing a height of 1.97m. Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh won her first world outdoor title, proving her mettle after previously earning silver medals in 2019 and 2022.
Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen redeemed himself after a surprising loss to Britain’s Josh Kerr in the 1500m, by retaining his title in the men’s 5,000m with a win time of 13:11.30.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made history by capturing his country’s first World Championship gold with an 88.17m throw, while Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi took the top spot in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, as the last of the 49 golds were determined on the event’s final day.
The Budapest championships offered drama, records, and a tantalizing glimpse into the future of athletics. As we look ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the stakes have never been higher. The athletes have thrown down the gauntlet; let’s see who picks it up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 2023 World Athletics Championships
Who won the 800m women’s final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships?
Mary Moraa of Kenya won the 800m women’s final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She secured her victory with a personal best time of 1:56.03.
What medal did Keely Hodgkinson win?
Keely Hodgkinson from Great Britain won the silver medal in the 800m women’s final. She finished the race with a time of 1 minute and 56.34 seconds.
How did Team GB perform overall at the Championships?
Team GB had an outstanding performance, bagging a total of 10 medals. This marked their best performance at the World Championships in 30 years.
Who were the members of Team GB’s men’s 4x400m relay?
The men’s 4x400m relay team from Great Britain consisted of Alex Haydock-Wilson, Charlie Dobson, Lewis Davey, and Rio Mitcham. They finished with a time of 2:58.71, earning a bronze medal.
Who was the star for the Netherlands in the women’s 4x400m relay?
Femke Bol was the star performer for the Netherlands in the women’s 4x400m relay. She led her team to gold with a time of 3:20.72.
Did any athlete make history at the Championships?
Yes, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made history by winning India’s first-ever World Championship gold with a throw of 88.17m.
Who were the surprise performances in the Championships?
Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen bounced back from a loss in the 1500m to win the 5,000m, while Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi surprised many by taking gold in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.
What did Keely Hodgkinson say about her performance?
Keely Hodgkinson remarked that while she really thought she was going to win, the finish line came sooner than she expected. She expressed her determination to aim for gold again in future competitions.
Who finished third and fifth in the women’s 800m?
Athing Mu, the defending champion, finished third, taking home the bronze. Jemma Reekie of Great Britain finished in fifth place with a time of 1:57.72 in her world final debut.
What are the expectations for these athletes as we look forward to the Paris 2024 Olympics?
With stunning performances and new personal bests set, expectations are sky-high. Athletes like Keely Hodgkinson and Mary Moraa are seen as strong contenders for gold, and many will be closely watched as we approach the Paris 2024 Olympics.
More about 2023 World Athletics Championships
- World Athletics Championships Official Site
- Keely Hodgkinson’s Athlete Profile
- Mary Moraa’s Athlete Profile
- Team GB’s Official Website
- Femke Bol’s Memorable Run
- Neeraj Chopra Makes History
- 2023 World Athletics Championships Results
- Paris 2024 Olympics Official Site
11 comments
Athing Mu still got bronze. She’s a force to reckon with, no jokes.
Our lads and lasses on Team GB are just smashing it, aren’t they? Best in 30 years, can ya believe it?
It’s amazing how sports can unite people from different countries. That’s the real win here, IMO.
Neeraj Chopra doing India proud! First ever World Championship gold for India, that’s like hitting a sixer in cricket.
Mary Moraa, you’re a queen! Kenya stands proud. Her closing speed is just insane.
I usually only get up for snacks but this… this was worth watching. So much talent in one place. Unreal!
Is it just me or do these sports events have the drama level cranked up to 11? I mean Femke Bol coming back like that… pure gold, literally!
These peeps are setting the stage for Paris 2024. Can’t wait to see what they’ll bring. They’re all going for gold, no doubt.
Didn’t know much about athletics but that showdown felt like a Hollywood climax. Hats off to Moraa and Hodgkinson!
Man, Keely was so close! Like a hair’s width away from gold. What a race tho! She’ll get that top spot someday. Mark my words!
the numbers, the timings, personal bests all around. This championship was like a stats dream come true.