Diamond League Rome: Keely Hodgkinson Sets 400m PB, Molly Caudery Wins Pole Vault

Paris gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson has achieved a personal best during her Diamond League debut in the women’s 400m in Rome. Competing at the Stadio Olimpico, Hodgkinson clocked a time of 51.14 to finish seventh in a race won by Henriette Jaeger.

The performance serves as a strategic step for the athlete, who is looking to break Jarmila Kratochvilova’s women’s outdoor 800m record, which has stood for nearly 43 years. By focusing on her 400m speed, Hodgkinson is preparing for a major push toward the world record this summer.

Strong Performances Across the Board in Rome

While Hodgkinson focused on speed development, other athletes secured significant victories. Two-time world indoor champion Molly Caudery claimed the pole vault title with a season’s best jump of 4.80m.

In the women’s 1500m, fellow indoor champion Georgia Hunter Bell took first place, finishing with a time of three minutes 58.63 seconds. In the 400m event, compatriot Amber Anning finished fifth with a time of 50.19.

Did You Know? Keely Hodgkinson is attempting to smash an outdoor 800m world record held by Jarmila Kratochvilova that is nearly 43 years old.

Sprints and Global Champions

The meeting also saw dominance from Olympic champions. Noah Lyles won the men’s 100m title with a time of 9.88 seconds, finishing ahead of Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who placed second and third respectively. Jeremiah Azu finished the race in ninth place.

In the women’s 200m, Olympic champion Julien Alfred secured the win. 2025 World Championships silver medallist Amy Hunt placed fourth with a time of 22.52 seconds, finishing just ahead of fifth-place Dina Asher-Smith, who recorded a time of 22.76 seconds.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Hodgkinson’s decision to compete in the 400m is a calculated move to enhance her raw speed. Improving the one-lap baseline could be critical for the endurance and finishing kick required to challenge a decades-old world record in the 800m.

Looking Ahead

With her 400m speed now improved, Hodgkinson may transition her focus back to the 800m. Given her previous success, including winning 800m gold in a championship record time at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, she is likely to be a primary contender for the outdoor record this season.

Keely Hodgkinson Targets Sub-50 400m in Rome Diamond League

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Keely Hodgkinson’s time in her 400m debut?
She finished seventh with a personal best time of 51.14.

Who won the men’s 100m and what was the winning time?
Olympic champion Noah Lyles won the title with a time of 9.88 seconds.

What result did Molly Caudery achieve in the pole vault?
The two-time world indoor champion won the title with a season’s best jump of 4.80m.

Do you think a 43-year-old world record is finally ready to be broken this summer?