A Pole star is born as Keely sparkles
HODGKINSON TAKES GOLD AT JUST 19
KEELY HODGKINSON was last night hailed as Britain’s newest athletics star.
Four days after turning 19, the Wigan youngster ran a commanding race to become European Indoor champion over 800 metres in Poland.
Her golden moment ensured Christian Malcolm’s unsung team matched Britain’s biggest ever haul of 12 medals at a European Indoor Championships.
World 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith tweeted: “KEELY!! Champ at just 19.What a star.”
Paula Radcliffe hailed the “outstanding smart racing” of an athlete who five weeks ago had broken the world under-20 record. “Calm, dominant and perfectly judged,” she said.
Hodgkinson clocked 2 minutes 3.88 seconds in Torun as she executed her game plan to perfection to become the youngest British winner at a European Indoors since Marilyn Neufville’s 400m gold in 1970.
She said: “I didn’t really think about the pressure. I believed in myself – because if I don’t, who is going to? I’ve always thought it doesn’t matter how old you are.
“You’ve just got to believe in yourself and not be intimidated.”
Her coaches told her to stick with the relaxed state that saw her through the rounds.
She said: “They told me, ‘You will know what to do’ and I did.”
The fact she was able to do so at her first championship suggests a significant talent.
British hopes of an 800m double came up just short as Jamie Webb took bronze in an outstanding men’s final. But they took silver and bronze in the 4x400m relays, while Andy Pozzi also took silver in his joint fastest time indoors in the 60m hurdles.
Tiffany Porter became the first athlete to win a championship medal in a mask – but still came second in her family.
Cindy Sember, who had come back from career-threatening injury, took silver in the 60m hurdles ahead of big sister Porter, who had a baby not long ago.
Porter, 33, said: “Wearing a mask isn’t my focus, it’s just a personal decision, but if I can inspire somebody, that is fine.”
Holly Archer won silver after her 1500m disqualification was overturned.