Keely Hodgkinson eases into 800m semis at the World Championships despite ‘awful’ conditions, with Zharnel Hughes putting on a show in his 200m heat as he looks to add to his 100m bronze

British star Keely Hodgkinson got her World Championships campaign off to the perfect start on a blazing morning in Budapest.

It was, as expected, a straight-forward affair for Hodgkinson, who cruised through her heat in a time of 1:59.53 to secure her spot in Friday’s 800metres semi-final.

The biggest obstacle for the Wiganer was not her competition but the soaring temperatures the athletes are facing in Budapest.

She also revealed that two early wake-up calls in as many mornings were not ideal preparation.

‘The conditions are awful,’ Hodgkinson said while holding an electric fan to her head. ‘Mixed in with the 6am start, it does not bode well for me. But I’ve got it done and I’m glad this was the only morning round.

Zharnel Hughes flew through his heat in the men’s 200m and is hungry for more medals after claiming bronze in the 100m

She joked: ‘Anti-doping came for me yesterday at 6am so I was not happy. I thought “Of all of the days” but it’s part of the job.’

Meanwhile, there was fighting talk from Zharnel Hughes who eased to victory in his heat in the men’s 200m.

‘It was quite easy, it was a stroll,’ said the world 100m bronze medallist. ‘I felt like I was warming up because I was wondering “where are the guys at”. I’m not disrespecting anyone, I’m just letting you know I am in shape.

‘The 100m woke me up and it makes me more hungry to go out here and give it my best shot and get another medal.’

The blazing heat has been a challenge for athletes, with extreme temperatures causing organisers to change the schedule