Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs, Day Ten: The Women's 800 meters came down to two...

One of the tastiest races in all of Eugene during the World Champs was the women’s 800 meters.

Why?

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You had Athing Mu, Olympic champion, NCAA champion, USATF Champion, American record holder at 800 meters, versus Keely Hodgkinson, Team GBR, European Indoor Champ, Olympic silver medalist, battling Athing over 800 meters.

At the U.S. Champs, Ajee’ Wilson had battled Athing down the final straight, and Athing held her off.

In the Women’s 800m final, the pace was fast, hitting 400 meters in 57.11, and Athing Mu began to use those long strides about 500 meters and was in full flight at 600 meters. Keely Hodgkinson moved into third, then second around the turn, and moved on the inside, attempting to pull a “Peter Snell or Steve Ovett move”, where one moves on the inside lane and gets by the opponent.

The battle for 800m surpremacy, Athing Mu and Keely Hodgkinson,
World Athletics Championships
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July15-26, 2022, photo by Kevin Morris

Athing Mu is one smooth customer. Her spidey senses come on when someone moves up and challenges her. I believe, sorry, Athing, that she lives for the challenge!

Keely Hodgkinson did not let up, she pushed Athing to the finish, and Athing Mu took gold in 1:56.30. Keely Hodgkinson, knowing that she pushed Athing even closer to the finish, was timed in 1:56.38 for the silver.

In third, Kenya’s rising star, Mary Moraa, who had to lead the race at 400 meters, took bronze in 1:56.71.

What follows is my call on the women’s 800 meters and the amazing film by NBC sports on the women’s 800 meters!

Enjoy the race; now on to Budapest 2023!

RunBlogRun · Women’s 800m World Athletics Championships

Author

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 51-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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