Olympic 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson will drop down from her specialty of two laps race to tackle the 400m at England Athletics Under-23 Championships set to be held from June 17-18 in England.
The 21 year-old who is also the World 800m silver medallist will open her season over 800m at the Paris Diamond League set for today (June 9) and then make an appearance in the one lap at the England U23 Champs.
Hodgkinson coach, Trevor Painter had hinted that the 400m at the European Under-23 Championships in Finland in mid-July could act as a stepping stone ahead of racing 800m at the World Championships in Budapest in August.
While speaking to the press at the Paris Diamond League Meeting, Hodgkinson confirmed a 400m run-out at the England Champs is a possibility next week.
Hodgkinson who won silver medal in Tokyo behind Athing Mu of the United States, has a 400m life time best of 52.41 which she set last year when finishing fifth at the British Championships.
When asked her expected time, she said, “I’ll let my legs do my talking but training has been going well and I’m looking forward to starting my season with a bang.”
The reigning European 800m champion will have to get past a star studded line-up that includes double world 800m bronze medallist, Ajee’ Wilson from the United States, Tokyo Olympics 800m bronze medallist, Raevyn Rogers, the 2019 World 800m champion, Halima Nakaayi from Uganda.
Other title contender include the oldest athlete on the start list, Noelie Yarigo from Benin, who is also an Air force officer and was given leave to prepare for the 2016 Olympics in France and the Oceania’s Indoor Record holder Catriona Bisset
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