Hunter Bell Edges Out Hodgkinson as GB Clinch 800m Silver and Bronze
In a thrilling display of British middle-distance prowess, Georgia Bell narrowly outpaced her training partner Keely Hodgkinson to secure silver in the world 800m final, while Hodgkinson claimed bronze for a hard-fought GB medal double. The dramatic finish in Tokyo saw Kenya’s Lilian Odira snatch gold, but the two Brits delivered a performance that highlighted their unbreakable bond and relentless determination.
Bell, 31, continued her remarkable comeback story by clocking a personal best of 1:54.90, just 0.28 seconds behind Odira’s championship-record 1:54.62. Hodgkinson, the reigning Olympic champion, finished a mere 0.01 seconds adrift in 1:54.91, turning what could have been a dream one-two into an inspiring silver-and-bronze haul. This achievement capped the World Championships with five medals for Great Britain and Northern Ireland—matching their 2019 Doha tally but marking their lowest total since 2005.
The Intensity of the World 800m Final
The world 800m final unfolded like a tactical chess match on the track, with the British duo at its heart. Both athletes, coached by the dynamic husband-and-wife team of Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, arrived in Tokyo with sky-high ambitions. They had openly discussed their goal of emulating the historic one-two by Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders in Japan 18 years prior—the last time Britain dominated the podium in this event at a global championships.
Training side by side, sharing rooms at the team’s holding camp, and even sneaking in drills in the hotel corridors to beat the sweltering heat, Bell and Hodgkinson were more than rivals; they were allies. But as the gun fired, the race demanded separation. Odira surged ahead in the final straight, her powerful kick sealing gold and her first major global medal. Bell, drawing on a full season of momentum, found an extra gear to edge Hodgkinson, who fought valiantly despite a season marred by injuries.
Post-race, emotions ran high. Hodgkinson, speaking to BBC Sport, reflected on the bittersweet moment: I’m happy for both of us—we both got medals. It’s my third sub-1:55 this year, and to be that consistent after everything I’ve been through… it’s not what I came for, but I can’t be too disappointed. Adding context, GB head coach Paula Dunn revealed Hodgkinson had battled a stomach bug in the lead-up, underscoring the resilience behind her bronze.
Bell, beaming with pride, shared her mindset: I’m so happy—this is the fastest I’ve ever run. I knew the field was stacked, but I just told myself, ‘Don’t get dropped, hang on for the kick.’ Her words captured the grit that turned a high-stakes world 800m final into a personal triumph.
A Bronze Worth Its Weight in Gold for Olympic Champion Hodgkinson
For Keely Hodgkinson, 23, the world 800m final was about redemption after a grueling year. As Olympic gold medalist from Paris 2024, she entered Tokyo as the favorite, her world-leading comeback time just five weeks prior signaling a return to peak form. Yet, the road there was anything but smooth.
A knee injury from before the Olympic final sidelined her over winter, followed by two torn hamstrings—the second a severe grade-three tear in her right leg, triggered during an eight-hour trip to receive her MBE from Windsor Castle. These setbacks limited her to only two races before the championships, testing her mental fortitude. Coach Meadows noted the emotional toll: There have been more tears than ever before, but praised Hodgkinson’s transformation in the gym, dubbing her Keely 2.0 for her enhanced strength and power.
This bronze marked her fifth consecutive global podium, a testament to her unyielding drive. Despite the setbacks, Hodgkinson’s consistency shone through—three races under 1:55 in a injury-riddled season. In the context of her 376-day layoff and triumphant Olympic bow, this medal felt like gold. Four years after her breakthrough teenage silver in Tokyo, she celebrated alongside Bell, reinforcing her status as one of Britain’s brightest track stars.
Georgia Bell’s Fairytale Return in the World 800m Final
Georgia Bell’s journey to silver in the world 800m final reads like a script from an underdog movie. After quitting athletics in 2017 following a 21-year track career that began as an English Schools champion, she rediscovered her passion during lockdown. Reconnecting with Painter in late 2022, Bell made a seismic shift: quitting her cybersecurity job to go full-time post-Paris 2024 Olympics, where she earned bronze in the 1500m.
Her dilemma in Tokyo—whether to target the 800m or stick with the 1500m—ultimately favored the shorter event, completing a full-circle return to her childhood roots. This season’s progress over middle distances paid off spectacularly, upgrading her Olympic bronze to world silver in her debut full-time year.
Meadows, reflecting on the duo, told BBC Sport: Trevor and I are so proud. Keely’s been our protégé since 17, with five podiums in five global champs. Georgia’s the opposite—a child prodigy who stepped away, the one that got away, as Trevor always said. We’re thrilled she came back. She shared a lighthearted anecdote: a private joke from when Bell first reconnected via FaceTime, with Meadows initially skeptical. It came up at her wedding, but she forgives me—I’ve been her biggest supporter since seeing her potential.
Bell’s rise embodies perseverance, turning lost time into back-to-back global medals and inspiring a new generation.
GB’s Legacy in the World 800m Final
The world 800m final not only delivered medals but also a narrative of friendship, resilience, and British excellence. With five medals total, GB ended the championships on a high, even if short of past glories. Bell and Hodgkinson’s podium sweep underscores the depth in British middle-distance running, setting the stage for future dominance.
As the curtains close on Tokyo, their story reminds us why the world 800m final captivates: raw talent meets unyielding spirit. For Hodgkinson, it’s fuel for the top spot; for Bell, validation of her bold return.
