Defending champion Keely Hodgkinson safely certified for the semi-finals of the 800 metres on the opening day of the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul.
Hodgkinson, who turns 21 on Friday, gained her warmth on the Atakoy Athletics Arena in a time of two minutes and 1.67 seconds forward of Germany’s Majtie Kolberg.
“It was okay. I felt like I was front-running around, you don’t want to make any mistakes ,” stated Hodgkinson, who set a brand new British file when profitable the World Indoor Tour in Birmingham final week.
“You are happy to qualify and that it was not a messy race, so you are clean through.
“Sometimes running at that pace is harder than what you are used to, I am actually quite tired, but I am sure I will be okay by Saturday then come back on Sunday to get the job done.”
Hodgkinson was runner-up on the World Championships in Eugene final yr and likewise gained Olympic silver in Tokyo in addition to the 2022 European out of doors title.
“I will spend my birthday recovering (on Friday),” she advised BBC Sport. “It will be a nice present to myself if I can (then) defend my title.
“Just to be able to share the moment with the people who worked so hard for me to be here, I am looking forward to it and hopefully making everybody proud.”
Isabelle Boffey additionally gained her warmth in 2min 3.24sec to progress.
The Enfield & Haringey athlete stated: “It is always a bit weird going on a new track, so I am definitely happy to have got the win now and to have secured the auto-qualification for the semi-final.
“I am learning how to do the big races and have got a lot better at that this year, so it is just sort of repeating what I have done this season.”
Neil Gourley and George Mills certified for the boys’s 1500m last, whereas Melissa Courtney-Bryant and Hannah Nuttall each reached the three,000m last.Gourley, who clocked the quickest time of three:41.08, stated: “The idea was to get through as smoothly as possible.
“I contributed a bit, to keep it moving and stay out in front a little bit, so I am happy with the way I handled it.
“This is the focus of the indoor season, so we are going to pour everything into it to win tomorrow.”
Elsewhere, Guy Learmonth certified for the 800m semi-finals and Morgan Lake went by way of the Sunday’s excessive leap last, qualifying in eighth place.
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