She had a tremendously successful career as a junior intermediate hurdler, winning the European Junior title in 2003. A year later, she followed this up with a more prestigious win at the World Junior Championships in Grossetto, running a personal best of 55.55s to top the final.
Katya attended Texas State University for her college degree. While in the United States, her IAAF records indicate that she dabbled in the 100m hurdles and the 800m run, clocking respectable times in both events. Her 2003 best in the two-lap race (2:05.95) was quite impressive for the then 16-year old.
Kostetskaya eventually specialized in the 800m when she turned professional. She is well-known in Australia for being the girlfriend of 2008 Olympic Pole vault champion Steve Hooker. Her achievements speak for themselves, though, as the Russian belongs to the elite of middle distance running.
She placed 2nd at the 2011 European Team Championships, helping Russia wrest the overall crown yet again. Kostetskaya qualified for the highly competitive 800m final in the recently concluded World Championships in Daegu, notching a respectable fifth place.
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