At the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, British athlete Keely Hodgkinson came in second place behind Audrey Werro in the 800-meter race. Hodgkinson, an Olympic champion who won gold in Paris 2024, had previously been seen as the top contender in the event. However, Werro, a rising star in the sport, has now defeated Hodgkinson for the second time at a major championship this summer. Werro also claimed the $150,000 first prize, following her European Championships gold earlier this year. The race also featured Femke Broeders-Bol, who recently switched from the 400m hurdles to the 800m, adding to the competition. Hodgkinson revealed she had been dealing with a torn hamstring, an injury she sustained during her loss at the European Championships in Birmingham last month. The injury left her uncertain if she would be able to compete in Budapest. After undergoing rehabilitation, she decided to take part in the event. Despite finishing second, she expressed pride in her performance. “I was close and I was going for the win, but I'm proud of how I handled that,” Hodgkinson said in an interview with the BBC. Werro has emerged as a dominant force in the 800m this season, challenging Hodgkinson’s position as the top athlete in the event. Broeders-Bol’s move to the 800m has also increased the level of competition, creating a more dynamic rivalry. Hodgkinson acknowledged the benefit of having multiple strong competitors pushing each other to perform at their best. She remains optimistic about future races against her rivals, hoping to come out on top in the upcoming competitions. The World Athletics Ultimate Championship is a high-profile event that brings together top athletes from around the world. The competition features a variety of track and field events, with athletes vying for both personal glory and substantial prize money. This year’s event highlighted the growing depth of talent in the 800m event, with multiple athletes capable of winning at the highest level. As the season progresses, fans can expect continued excitement from this evolving rivalry.