EUGENE — One of America’s emerging track and field stars has made a habit of turning her 800-meter races into one-woman events.
That’s why it was compelling, perhaps even a little surprising, to see Athing Mu locked in fierce battle with Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson as they hit the stretch run Sunday night at Hayward Field.
Mu dug down and held off Hodgkinson to win gold in the World Athletics Championships, less than a year after the 20-year-old Texas A&M junior won Olympic gold in Tokyo.
Mu, who hit the line in 1 minutes, 56.30 seconds, 0.08 ahead of Hodgkinson, became the first American woman to win 800 worlds gold.
Nothing changed for Mu, other than the margin of victory.
“This is just how any race would be if I do run with somebody that’s really competitive. This is just one of those races you guys really get to see because I guess I don’t get into that many fast competitions,” Mu said.
By a sizable margin — as Mu had in beating Hodgkinson in Tokyo — or razor thin, the feat meant everything to her. Mu said she didn’t know until Friday that no USA woman had ever won 800 gold.
“It’s awesome. It’s an honor,” Mu said. “I’m just glad I can keep holding on to the momentum from Tokyo last year.”
Sunday’s win was no sure thing, and that has nothing to do with the race. Living as an Olympic gold medalist at age 19 was a big adjustment for Mu.
“Though everyone may not see it, it was a lot. Because it was a complete change of everything,” Mu said.
Then came Sunday, when Mu didn’t feel well. After she won, it took Mu an hour to recover before she spoke with the media.
“Just physically, I wasn’t where I would want to be,” Mu said. “I knew it was going to be a little tough, but I was super faithful out there. I didn’t leave anything on the track.”
Mu tracked pacesetter Diribe Welteji of Ethiopia for the first 500 meters before taking over. Mu widened her lead on the backstretch, a comfortable margin she maintained midway around the final turn.
Hodgkinson then made her move. As they hit the stretch, Mu drifted off Lane 1, opening a hole for Hodgkinson. The world’s No. 1 this year bore down on Mu, who said she wasn’t worried.
As it turned out, Hodgkinson stopped making up ground during the final 40 meters. Mu dug down and stretched her body across the wire to win.
“I thought I could get her in the last 100 meters,” Hodgkinson said. “I got so close, but it is what it is. We have world champs again next year.”
Mu was one of three Americans in the race. Former Oregon Ducks star Raevyn Rogers, who won world silver in 2019 and Olympic bronze in 2021, finished sixth in 1:58.26. Ajeé Wilson, a five-time world indoor and outdoor medalist, placed eighth in 2:00.19.
Rogers said she doesn’t recall a lot about her race, but she’ll remember it for the historical value provided by Mu.
“This was a great moment for America,” Rogers said.
Kenya’s Mary Moraa earned the bronze, finishing in 1:56.71.
— Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel
