Keely Hodgkinson Breaks 800m World Record with 1:54.87 in Liévin

In a sensational performance at the 2026 Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in Liévin, Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson rewrote the history books on Thursday, February 19, shattering the women’s indoor 800 m world record with a stunning 1:54.87. Her time eclipsed the long-standing mark that had stood for nearly a quarter of a century.

Hodgkinson followed the pacemaker through 200m in 26.47 and 400m in 55.56, passing 600m in 1:25.06 before unleashing a devastating final lap. She ultimately lowered the previous mark by 0.95 seconds, producing one of the greatest indoor middle-distance performances in history.

Diamond League champion Audrey Werro finished second in 1:58.38, following her recent wins in Val-de-Reuil, Madrid and Belgrade. World indoor champion Tsige Duguma placed third in 1:58.83, while Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew improved her PB to 1:59.54.

Keely Hodgkinson:

“Being the world record holder is something I knew I was capable of. Coming here, the question was more: how fast can I go? I’m pretty happy, but I believe there is more to give. A 1:54 indoors — it’s only my fourth time running under 1:55 — so it’s incredible. I wasn’t just here to break the record, I wanted to smash it. The atmosphere was amazing. It was a long wait for the race, and it’s going to be a long night because I won’t sleep — but it was worth it.”

Behind Hodgkinson in Liévin, Switzerland’s Audrey Werro ran 1:58.38, and Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma clocked 1:58.83 for second and third respectively, rounding out an exceptionally fast field. Other notable performances included personal bests and season’s bests from several competitors pushing the depth of women’s 800 m racing. 

Women’s 800m results

Elsewehere

Crestan Breaks Meeting Record in Men’s 800m

Double world indoor medallist Elliot Crestan of Belgium claimed his second World Indoor Tour Gold victory of the season, winning the men’s 800m in 1:43.91, breaking Adam Kszczot’s meeting record of 1:44.57 set in 2012.

Poland’s Maciej Wyderka was second in 1:44.64, followed by Slimane Moula (1:44.80) and Mohamed Ali Gouaned (1:44.92).

Crestan:

“My goal was to break the meeting record and I’m really happy to have done it. Liévin is the best meeting in the world. The crowd gives you so much energy. But the level is rising everywhere, so this doesn’t necessarily mean much for the World Indoor Championships.”

Karalis Soars to 6.00m World Lead

European indoor champion Emmanouil Karalis continued his superb winter, clearing a world-leading 6.00m in the men’s pole vault. The Greek star produced a flawless series, clearing 5.70m, 5.90m and 6.00m on first attempts before narrowly missing at 6.07m.

Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen placed second with 5.90m on countback ahead of Zachary Bradford, while KC Lightfoot finished fourth with 5.80m.

Karalis now eyes 6.10m later this season as he builds toward the World Indoor Championships in Toruń.

Sutej Wins Women’s Pole Vault

Slovenia’s Tina Šutej cleared 4.70m on her first attempt to win the women’s pole vault on countback ahead of Imogen Ayris and world champion Katie Moon. Olivia McTaggart and world indoor champion Marie-Julie Bonnin shared fourth with 4.60m.

Šutej narrowly missed 4.77m and believes a 4.90m clearance is within reach this season.

Charlton and Llopis Shine in the Hurdles

World indoor champion Devynne Charlton won the women’s 60m hurdles in 7.79, ahead of Pia Skrzyszowska (7.83) and Ditaji Kambundji (7.84). Megan Simmonds (7.88) edged Nadine Visser on thousandths, while Laeticia Bapté clocked 7.93.

Charlton now targets a third consecutive world indoor title in Toruń.

In the men’s final, France’s Just Kwaou-Mathey and Spain’s Enrique Llopis shared victory in 7.45, with Llopis equalling his Spanish indoor record. Johnny Brackins was third in 7.50.

Women’s 3000m

Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu opened her 2026 campaign with a world lead of 8:24.59. World U20 champion Aleshiign Baweke finished second (8:26.29), while Nadia Battocletti improved her Italian indoor record to 8:26.44. Spain’s Marta García set a national record of 8:34.28.

Women’s 2000m

Olympic 1500m silver medallist Jessica Hull produced a sensational run of 5:26.68, the second-fastest indoor time ever and an Oceanian record. Portugal’s Salomé Afonso set a European all-time best (5:30.31), while France’s Agathe Guillemot broke the national record (5:32.18).

Women’s 1500m

Georgia Hunter Bell won in 4:00.21, ahead of Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom (4:01.17). Hunter Bell admitted disappointment at not running faster despite securing victory.

Men’s 1500m

Portugal’s Isaac Nader won in 3:32.41, setting a national indoor record. Italy’s Federico Riva, Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran, and the Netherlands’ Stefan Nillesen all set national records behind him.

Men’s 3000m

Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune claimed victory in a PB of 7:33.58, ahead of Kenya’s Jacob Krop (7:34.68).

Men’s Shot Put

Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri won with 21.82m in his season debut, ahead of two-time world champion Joe Kovacs (21.40m).

Men’s Triple Jump

Algeria’s Yasser Mohamed Triki produced a world lead of 17.35m, with two additional jumps beyond 17m.

Zapletalova Wins 400m

Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalová, world bronze medallist in the 400m hurdles, won the women’s 400m in 51.40, defeating European indoor champion Lieke Klaver (51.67). Zapletalová now targets success at the World Indoor Championships.

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