Preview: Women’s 800m Event at WIC Kujawy Pomorze 26

Keely Hodgkinson arrives in Toruń seeking the one major indoor honour missing from her collection. She has Olympic medals and world outdoor podiums, but not a World Indoor Championships medal.

Current form and recent records

Hodgkinson recovered from several injury setbacks that kept her out of the last three editions. She set a British indoor best of 1:56.33 at the UK Indoor Championships.

Five days later, at the World Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Liévin, she lowered the world indoor 800m record to 1:54.87. The previous mark of 1:55.82 dated from 3 March 2002.

Background and achievements

The 24-year-old British runner won Olympic silver in Tokyo and Olympic gold in Paris. She also holds two world outdoor silver medals and one world outdoor bronze.

In 2022 she had the fastest women’s indoor 800m time for two decades, 1:57.20, but a warm-up quad injury in Belgrade prevented her from competing. She says this winter has been her healthiest for years.

Key rivals in Toruń

The Women’s 800m Event at WIC Kujawy Pomorze 26 will feature several strong challengers. Audrey Werro of Switzerland figures as Hodgkinson’s closest rival.

Werro, 21, won the 2025 Diamond League title. She improved the Swiss indoor record to 1:57.27 in Belgrade, after a 1:57.49 performance days earlier.

Other medal contenders

• Tsige Duguma (Ethiopia) — Olympic silver medallist and 2024 World Indoor champion in Glasgow. She was third in Liévin in 1:58.83.
• Isabelle Boffey (Great Britain) — Personal best 1:57.43 in Boston, ranking her high in this year’s lists.
• Gladys Chepngetich (Kenya) — Season best 1:58.81.
• Nigist Getachew (Ethiopia) — Last year’s World Indoor silver medallist.
• Valery Tobias and Addison Wiley (USA) — Both named among potential finalists.
• Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jamaica) — Experienced 800m performer on the entry list.
• Anna Wielgosz (Poland) — European indoor champion representing the hosts.

What to watch in Toruń

Expect a tactical race with a fast field and contenders capable of sub-1:58 times. Hodgkinson’s recent world record adds a new dynamic to the event.

Race execution, pacing, and fitness will decide the medals. The Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Toruń should deliver a competitive and entertaining women’s 800m final.

Coverage and updates will be available through Filmogaz.com as the championships unfold.