by Deji Ogeyingbo
Hunter Bell leads a night of authority at Karlsruhe
The INIT Indoor Meeting Karlsruhe, the fifth World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting of the season, as athletes across disciplines took responsibility for their performances and shaped the meet through fine performances all round.
From world-leading middle-distance running to composed dominance in the field events, Karlsruhe offered a snapshot of athletes settling into form at exactly the right moment of the indoor season.
Georgia Hunter Bell Takes Charge of the World Lead
At the heart of the meet was Georgia Hunter Bell, whose women’s 1500m performance set the tone for the afternoon. Following the pacemaker through 800m in 2:08.60, the Olympic bronze medallist stepped forward and dictated the race on her own terms, sustaining the tempo and finishing with a decisive closing lap to stop the clock at a world-leading 4:00.04. Her willingness to lead from distance and her fine execution showed a growing confidence that now frames her ambitions heading into the world indoor championships in Poland.
Mahuchikh brings composure and height to the infield
While the track demanded pace, the infield rewarded precision as Yaroslava Mahuchikh delivered a measured and authoritative high jump series. Clearing 2.01m to secure victory, the Olympic champion moved smoothly through the earlier heights before testing herself at 2.04 meters, where three close attempts suggested more remains available.
DeBues-Stafford’s 3000m return shows depth and timing
In the women’s 3000m, Gabriela DeBues-Stafford marked her return to indoor racing with a performance built on patience and control. After allowing the race to develop, she surged decisively with just under two laps remaining and separated cleanly from the field, winning in 8:35.94. The time, just two seconds shy of her personal best, reflected both competitive sharpness and a renewed comfort in race execution.
Grace Stark Opens Her Season Under Pressure
The women’s 60-meter hurdles produced one of the meet’s tightest contests, and Grace Stark emerged with a victory that tested her composure as much as her speed. Running 7.86 in her first race of the year, Stark held her form through a close finish as France’s Laeticia Bapte challenged stride for stride until the final moments. The race offered a meaningful early benchmark and underscored her ability to respond under pressure.
Guttormsen Caps the meet with technical authority
Closing out the standout performances, Sondre Guttormsen delivered a polished display in the men’s pole vault. Clearing 5.84 meters on his first attempt, Guttormsen built his competition efficiently and finished with confident attempts at 5.90 meters. The performance reflected technical clarity and competitive rhythm as the indoor season continues to tighten toward its decisive phase.
