Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Katarina Johnson-Thompson defends Commonwealth Games crown

Katarina Johnson-Thompson successfully defended her Commonwealth Games crown to scoop gold.

The 29-year-old, who was born in Woolton, triumphed with 6377 points ahead of Northern Ireland's Kate O'Connor who took silver and England team-mate Jade O'Dowda in third in Birmingham. It is Johnson-Thompson's first victory since winning the world title in 2019 having recovered from at least one career-threatening injury.

A ruptured Achilles threatened her Olympic dream last year and, even though she made it to Tokyo, she suffered a serious calf injury in the 200m and had to withdraw. Her injury nightmare meant she was unable to defend her world title in Eugene last month, finishing eighth, as Nafi Thiam reclaimed the crown after losing to Johnson-Thompson in Doha in 2019.

READ MORE: Man 'sexually assaulted and dumped in gym car park'

But at the Alexander Stadium she ended her wait for a win. Johnson-Thompson held an overnight lead and clung onto a 122-point advantage after the long jump on Wednesday morning.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson in action during the Long Jump element of the Women's Heptathlon (PA)

She then consolidated her lead with a stunning personal best of 44.33m in the javelin, one of her weaker events, leaving her on the verge of gold. It gave her a 136-point advantage over Northern Ireland's O'Connor heading into the final 800m and she ran two minutes 13.93 to finish second in the race and comfortably claim overall victory.

READ NEXT:

Love Island's Gemma Owen greeted by family at airport as she returns home from villa

Schoolgirls raped and abducted by vile gang

Ex-BBC radio presenter sexually assaulted boy being held down in car

DVLA asks older drivers to renew their licence immediately

Full list of bus routes to be changed and cut across the Liverpool City Region

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.