Nadia Battocletti earned her first global gold with consummate ease in a tumultuous women’s 3000m final on day two at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.

The 25-year-old Italian, who earned 10,000m silver at the 2024 Olympics then added 10,000m silver and 5000m bronze at last year’s World Championships, secured her place atop a world podium with a perfectly judged move to the front over the final 100 metres, floating home in 8:57.64.

Australia’s Olympic 1500m silver medallist Jessica Hull, keen to improve upon the bronze medal she earned in this event last year, had led at the bell with Battocletti at her shoulder.

But after the Italian had moved past her, she was beaten to silver as Emily Mackay of the United States, world indoor 1500m bronze medallist in 2024, proved even more determined over the final few strides, clocking 8:58.12 to Hull’s 8:58.18.

Hull, the only woman to double up over 1500m and 3000m metres at these championships, will now seek further success in tomorrow’s final over the shorter distance.

The race had a pivotal moment after a painfully slow opening kilometre had concentrated the field.

Amid much nervy pushing and switching, Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu, hoping to retain her title and claim a third world indoor gold, moved up through the tangled field before hitting the ground hard and taking some time to pick herself up and rejoin the race.

She had been pushed down by Hull’s flailing hand – but the Australian had been shoved from behind by Marta Garcia as she struggled to keep her footing, an action for which the Spaniard was disqualified.

Hailu moved up, but had to settle ultimately for an admirable sixth place in 9:02.41, two places behind her teammate Aleshign Baweke on 9:00.26, with Turkey’s Silan Ayyildiz finishing fifth in 9:02.11.

Italy’s last world indoor medal in this event came at the first edition in 1985 via Agnese Possamai.

“I didn't expect this result and this shape,” said Battocletti. “I surprised myself especially because I finished Ramadan just two days ago, and I also recently finished my exams so it was a difficult time for me.

“I knew I was in good shape but I was still surprised when I crossed the finish line. I did a super-fast finish which I didn't train for – it was crazy after a really chaotic race, a tactical one.

“After all the mountains of training, it feels crazy to run at this level indoors. I usually don't do a lot of indoor training but I wanted to see what I could do indoors and I really surprised myself.

“It's the second gold medal for Italy here after Andy (Diaz) won gold in the triple jump. We have a very good team here and we expect a lot of great results and, of course, medals.”

She had set an Italian indoor 3000m record of 8:26.44 when finishing behind Hailu and Baweke at last month’s World Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Liévin.

But as Battocletti has shown so often since bursting to prominence with a 5000/10,000m double at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, she becomes a more formidable force in championship settings.

Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics

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