Paulino, Hodgkinson and Richardson shine at ATHLOS London
Marileidy Paulino produced a dramatic late charge to defeat Henriette Jæger in a world-class 400m, while Keely Hodgkinson, Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas also claimed victories at the inaugural ATHLOS London meeting on Friday (September 18). The women-only competition, staged at StoneX Stadium, featured seven events and marked ATHLOS’ first meeting outside the United States.
Paulino delivered the performance of the evening in a thrilling 400m contest. Jæger attacked from the start and led through 200m in 23.69, with Paulino back in sixth position at 24.18. The Dominican Olympic champion began closing around the final bend before catching the Norwegian in the closing metres to win in a meeting record of 48.73.
Jæger was rewarded with a Norwegian record of 48.78, becoming the fastest European woman over 400m since Marie-José Pérec won the 1996 Olympic title. Nickisha Pryce completed the top three in 49.39, ahead of Lieke Klaver, who clocked 49.66.
Paulino’s performance was the 15th sub-49-second race of her career, equalling the all-time record. Eight of those performances have come during the 2026 season.
Hodgkinson dominated the 800m, improving the meeting record to 1:56.40. Raevyn Rogers took the field through the opening lap in 57.53, with Hodgkinson close behind in 57.57 before the British Olympic champion pulled clear.
Switzerland’s Valentina Rosamilia finished more than two seconds behind in 1:58.75, while France’s Rénelle Lamote secured third place in 2:00.15. Hodgkinson’s victory earned her the event’s $65,000 top prize and a Tiffany & Co. crown.
Richardson captured the 100m title with a powerful second half of the race, pulling away to win in a meeting record of 10.80. New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs placed second in 11.19, followed by Anavia Battle in 11.25. Britain’s Imani Lansiquot and Daryll Neita finished fourth and fifth in 11.35 and 11.36, respectively.
Thomas completed the sprint programme with victory in the 200m. The Olympic champion led through halfway in 11.26 and covered the closing 100m in 10.87 to win in 22.13. Kayla White took second in 22.40, narrowly ahead of Battle, who finished third in 22.43 after placing third in the 100m earlier in the evening.
The mile produced one of the closest finishes of the meeting. Georgia Hunter Bell moved into the lead before the final quarter, but Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska found an opening on the inside and surged past the Briton in the closing metres.
Kazimierska stopped the clock at 4:19.43, just 0.11 seconds ahead of Hunter Bell’s 4:19.54. Kenya’s Dorcus Ewoi was also involved in the blanket finish, taking third in 4:19.84. Nikki Hiltz placed fourth in 4:22.72, while Jessica Hull finished fifth in 4:24.27.
Alaysha Johnson edged former world record-holder Tobi Amusan in an equally tight 100m hurdles contest. The American crossed the line in 12.50, beating Amusan by one hundredth of a second. Devynne Charlton claimed third in 12.626, just ahead of Danielle Williams, who was credited with 12.629.
Alyssa Jones secured the long jump title with a third-round leap of 6.66m. The American finished two centimetres ahead of France’s Hilary Kpatcha, who reached 6.64m, while Monae’ Nichols completed the podium with 6.58m. Portugal’s Agate de Sousa placed fourth with 6.47m.
The London event was created as part of ATHLOS founder Alexis Ohanian’s effort to expand the women-only competition into an international athletics series. Each event winner received $65,000, with $35,000 awarded for second place.
