Hodgkinson eyes world record after breaking British mark

Keely Hodgkinson was nine seconds ahead of the rest of the 800m field in Birmingham

Keely Hodgkinson says she is aiming for a new world record after breaking the British 800m mark at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

The 23-year-old, who won Olympic gold in 2024, clocked 1:56.33 in the heats on Saturday to beat her own national record by almost one second.

It was the fastest time in a women's indoor 800m race in 24 years and the third-fastest in history.

Having announced beforehand that she would not compete in Sunday's final because she is due to race in France on Thursday, Hodgkinson described the run as "a personal challenge".

"I had to come to qualify for the Worlds [in Poland next month] and that is why I was only doing one round," she said.

"But it was a good test. It is three years since I ran indoors, so I knew I had to go out there and stay focused.

"We didn't set out to run a world lead, but I started well and just kept it going. It was a nice surprise. It was a really strong day."

'I feel like it's my record to break'

Asked about targeting Jolanda Ceplak's indoor world record of 1:55.82 set in 2002, Hodgkinson said: "I have been very vocal in the past about wanting to get it.

"I feel like it is my record to break. We'll give it a good go."

Dina Asher‑Smith was another star to deliver a stunning performance on the first day of the event in Birmingham, claiming the women's 60m title in 7.05 seconds - a tenth of a second ahead of Amy Hunt, to set a new championship record.

Speaking afterwards, the 30-year-old said she had been "feeling great for this entire indoor season", adding: "Sometimes you just have to be patient, get race-sharp and wait for the times to come."

Dina Asher-Smith finished a tenth of a second ahead of Amy Hunt

In the men's 60m, world and European indoor champion Jeremiah Azu, 24, retained his UK title, reaching the line in a season's best of 6.56secs.

Molly Caudery reclaimed the women's pole vault crown by clearing a height of 4.65m with Owen Heard winning the men's title with an effort of 5.55m.

Lucy Hadaway won the women's long jump with a leap of 6.45m, while Tito Odunaike was victorious in the men's triple jump with a mark of 15.45m.

In the women's 60m hurdles, a personal best of 8.05secs secured victory for Abigail Pawlett, with Daniel Goriola taking the men's race in a season's best 7.78secs.

Madeline Down won the women's para 60m final with a time of 8.24secs, and Kevin Santos was the men's winner in 6.93secs.

You can watch day two of the UK Indoor Athletics Championships, on Sunday, on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport app and website. Events run from 11:20 to 16:30.