Despite suffering two hamstring tears this year, which delayed her season-opener until four weeks before the World Championships, Hodgkinson has wasted no time in reasserting herself as the favourite for gold in Tokyo.
The two-time world silver medallist announced her return in emphatic fashion in Silesia, Poland on Saturday, clocking the quickest time of 2025 – and the ninth-fastest in history – in 1:54.74.
That was just 0.13secs short of her lifetime best – the British record she ran at last year’s London Diamond League in the lead-up to her stunning Olympic triumph.
Speaking at Tuesday’s news conference, Hodgkinson teased that she “wouldn’t rule out” going even faster in Lausanne as she sought to hone her race-day sharpness.
While the conditions prevented that on Wednesday evening, Hodgkinson once again proved a class above her competition as she powered clear on the final lap to claim another commanding win.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start, I’m a bit in shock myself,” Hodgkinson told BBC World Service Sport.
“I train really hard for moments like this but when it all comes together it makes it extra special.
“Trevor [Painter – her coach] said to me a few weeks ago ‘you’re actually ahead of schedule, I wanted you to be here by the time we’re in Tokyo’ – so to be here now is amazing. Hopefully we can stay healthy and build on top of what we’ve got, and let’s see what can happen.”
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