Jessica Ennis-Hill crowned world champion as Brit canters to heptathlon gold in 800m

Jessica Ennis-Hill led the field by 86 points ahead of the 800m final
The Brit stormed to win the 800m final to extend her advantage
The 2012 Olympic champion last won the World Championship in 2009

PUBLISHED: 13:12, 23 August 2015 | UPDATED: 16:09, 23 August 2015

Jessica Ennis-Hill has completed her golden comeback at the World Championships, winning her first major championship since London 2012 just 13 months after the birth of her son.

It was still unclear just four weeks ago whether the Olympic heptathlon champion would compete in Beijing, having only returned to action in May following the arrival of Reggie last summer.

However, a promising performance at the Anniversary Games saw Ennis-Hill put herself forward for selection - a decision she justified in some style at the Bird's Nest.

Jessica Ennis-Hill is all smiles as she secured gold at the World Championships in Beijing on Sunday

An emotional Jessica Ennis-Hill is reduced to tears having won the 800m to take home heptathlon gold

The 2009 world champion, heading out at the start of the 800m, regained the title in Beijing on Sunday

Ennis-Hill realises the extent of her achievement and collapses to the ground as the emotions take over

The 29-year-old edged a fascinating battle with compatriot Katarina Johnson-Thompson on Saturday to take the overnight lead, which she pushed on from with solid displays in the long jump and javelin.

It put Ennis-Hill on the cusp of gold - an opportunity she did not let slip, winning her 800 metres heat in 2 minutes 10.13 seconds to add another world crown to the one she won in Berlin six years ago.

It saw her end the event on 6,669 points - 115 ahead of Canada's Brianne Theisen-Eaton, with Laura Ikauniece-Admidina of Latvia taking the bronze.

Fellow heptathlon contestants congratulate Ennis-Hill after the Sheffield star won gold in Beijing

The 29-year-old shares the celebrations with her coach Toni Minichiello following her gold in Beijing

'I can't believe I'm in the Bird's Nest. This time last year I just had my son and now I'm world champion. It feels incredible," said an emotional Ennis-Hill.

'It was a massive surprise to be here, during the Anniversary Games I had to make the decision to come and now to be here and finish on top, I'm lost for words.

'It was close (that she didn't go). Before the Anniversary Games I was not sure if I was going to be ready. But I put some times together and felt I was making progress.

'If I'd have got a bronze I'd have been so happy so to get gold is even better.'

On leaving son Reggie behind, she added: 'This has been the hardest year ever; London (2012) was hard with different pressures and challenged but this year, juggling mummy duties with training, is so hard. But it's been the most amazing with my son and now being back here on a global stage.'

KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON AMBLES IN 800M TO 'SAVE MY LEGS'

Katarina Johnson-Thompson ended her heptathlon by jogging around the track and finishing last in her 800m race. Johnson-Thompson decided to run around the track at a slow pace to save herself for the long jump heats on Thursday.

The 22-year-old's medal hopes in the heptathlon had earlier ended after she failed to record a distance in the long jump with three foul attempts.

Johnson-Thompson had no choice but to continue in the javelin and 800m as there would have be a medical reason to withdraw and medical confirmation she could compete again in the long jump.

That harsh rule was brought into sharp focus at the end of a galling day as the Liverpool athlete ambled home last in her 800m heat, with her time of in 2 mins 50.73 secs - 43.09s outside her personal best.

Johnson-Thompson said: 'This is the last place I wanted to be right now.

'I had to compete the 800m if I wanted to go to the long jump. That's not my fitness (behind that slow time). I want to save my legs.'

Katarina Johnson-Thompson looks on ahead oh her 800m heat, where she jogged round to save energy

The dejected 22-year-old had to race in the 800m but jogged to preserve energy for her long jump title pursuit

The Liverpool heptahlete (centre) was clearly devastated from her earlier performance in the long jump

Ennis-Hill throws the javelin during Sunday's morning session at the Bird's Nest in Beijing

Ennis-Hill, the 2009 Heptathlon World Champion, flies through the air as she takes part in the long jump

KATCHING MY I

Pages

Sunday, 23 August 2015