Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Women’s 800m, Keely Hodgkinson’s Golden Quest Amid Fierce Global Rivalry

By: Denise N. Fyffe

The women’s 800 meters at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 promises to be one of the most electrifying middle-distance races in recent memory. With defending Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson chasing her first world gold and a host of rising talents from across the globe in red-hot form, this showdown is poised to captivate athletics fans worldwide.

Keely Hodgkinson: The Crown Within Reach

For Keely Hodgkinson, the Tokyo final represents unfinished business. At just 23 years old, the British star has already achieved a glittering résumé:

Olympic Gold – Paris 2024 (1:56.72)
European Gold – Rome 2024 (1:58.65)
World Silver – Eugene 2022 (1:56.38), Budapest 2023 (1:56.34)

Yet the coveted world title still eludes her. After bouncing back from injury, Hodgkinson has looked unstoppable this season, clocking 1:54.87 in Chorzow and 1:55.69 in Lausanne, breaking a 23-year-old meeting record set by the legendary Maria Mutola. With the ability to close races with a devastating kick, Hodgkinson enters Tokyo as the favorite — but far from unchallenged.

Audrey Werro: The Swiss Sensation

Switzerland’s Audrey Werro has emerged as one of the breakout stars of 2025. The 20-year-old has rewritten her country’s record books, running 1:55.91 to win the Diamond League Final in Zurich, where she claimed her first Diamond Trophy on home soil.

Her progression this season has been remarkable:

1:57.25 in Bydgoszcz
1:56.29 at the Swiss Championships
1:55.91 in Zurich (PB and National Record)

Werro also captured the European U23 title in Bergen and set a stunning 51.03 in the 400m, showcasing the raw speed that could make her Hodgkinson’s biggest rival in Tokyo.

Georgia Bell: Britain’s Double Threat

Great Britain will also look to Georgia Hunter Bell, who has had a career-defining year. After winning bronze in both the 1500m at the European Championships (3:59.84) and the Olympics in Paris (3:52.61, breaking Laura Muir’s British record), Bell has transitioned smoothly into the 800m spotlight.

She clocked 1:55.96 in Zurich and 1:57.55 in Lausanne, proving she is a genuine medal contender. Her versatility across distances could be a tactical weapon in Tokyo, especially in a crowded field where racing intelligence will be as critical as speed.

Tsige Duguma: Ethiopia’s Rising Star

Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma has already made her mark on the world stage with Olympic silver in Paris 2024 and a world indoor gold in Glasgow. This season, Duguma has shown consistency with wins in Keqiao (1:56.64), Rabat (1:57.41), and Eugene (1:57.10). Her trademark finishing strength could propel her into contention for Ethiopia’s first outdoor world title in the women’s 800m.

Prudence Sekgodiso: Africa’s Powerhouse

From South Africa, Prudence Sekgodiso has been equally impressive, claiming the world indoor title in Nanjing and posting a season’s best of 1:57.16 in Ostrava and Eugene. At just 22, Sekgodiso represents the next wave of African middle-distance excellence and cannot be overlooked in the Tokyo final.

Other Key Contenders

The depth of the women’s 800m in 2025 is staggering, with several athletes capable of podium finishes:

Oratile Nowe (Botswana): Set a national record of 1:56.76 for third in Chorzow.
Lilian Odira (Kenya): Clocked 1:56.52 for second in Chorzow.
Nigist Getachew (Ethiopia): World indoor silver medalist in Nanjing 2025, ran 1:57.01 in Heusden Zolder.
Raevyn Rogers (USA): Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo 2021, back in form with 1:57.52 in Chorzow.

Why This Race Could Be Historic

The women’s 800m has always delivered drama, but Tokyo 2025 could redefine the event. With Hodgkinson chasing her first world title, Werro threatening to break through, and Duguma, Sekgodiso, and others closing fast, this final could produce one of the fastest, most competitive races in history.

Expect fireworks when the athletes line up in Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium — because in the women’s 800m, there is no room for error, no time to waste, and everything to gain.

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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.