A tearful Keely Hodgkinson pulled out of the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships moments before Sunday’s race after feeling “a little twinge”.
The Olympic 800m champion has been competing over the shorter distance in a bid to improve her first-lap speed and challenge for the 800m world record this summer.
After qualifying from Saturday’s heats, the 24-year-old warmed up for the final in Birmingham but stepped out of her lane shortly before the finalists were put under starters’ orders.
Hodgkinson was emotional as she stood at the side of the track before making her way back inside the Alexander Stadium.
BBC’s commentary team later received a message from Hodgkinson’s coach Jenny Meadows, saying she withdrew as she “felt a little twinge in her last strides before the race”.
Hodgkinson then added: “I wasn’t feeling 100% standing on the start line, so I made the tough decision to step away and not race. I didn’t want to risk anything this summer.”
Hodgkinson endured an injury-hit 2025 yet still managed to win bronze at the World Championships in September, with British team-mate Georgia Hunter Bell claiming silver.
Her withdrawal on Sunday comes four weeks before the London Diamond League meeting, which she has earmarked for a tilt at a world record which has stood for 43 years.
Amber Anning earned a reprieve after a false start in the 400m but the world indoor champion regrouped to retain her title, winning in a time of 50.16 seconds.
Minutes before Hodgkinson’s withdrawal, her friend and rival Georgia Hunter Bell retained her 800m title, leading throughout to win by a distance in one minute 55.93 seconds, breaking a championship record set by Kelly Holmes in 1995.
Hughes targets sub-20 time at Europeans
The Alexander Stadium is also hosting the European Championships from 10-16 August and one of its stands has been named after Matthew Hudson-Smith for each event.
The US-based Wolverhampton athlete became British champion for a sixth time as the 2024 Olympic 400m silver medallist won in 44.45secs.
Ben Jefferies was a surprise second after smashing his personal best with 44.66, while reigning champion Charlie Dobson had to settle for third.
After losing his 100m title on Saturday, Zharnel Hughes remained the British champion in his preferred 200m by running a championship record of 20.04 seconds to win from Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (20.35).
“With the 100m, I’m still trying to get myself sharp for it,” said Hughes. “I’m not 100% yet, so it’s taking it’s time. But I trust it and I know I will get better as the season progresses.
“I look forward to the 200m because it’s my favourite event and I like to put on a show for the fans. They came out in their huge numbers today to support us and I’m thoroughly grateful for it.
“I wanted 19 [seconds] today but my body’s feeling it, it’s tired. But 19’s definitely around the corner and I know for a fact it’s going to come right here when the European Championships come around.”