Katarina Johnson-Thompson takes lead in heptathlon after setting new British record in the high jump with defending champion Jessica Ennis-Hill just behind
- Jessica Ennis-Hill began the defence of heptathlon title
- Ennis-Hill is bidding to become the first British woman to retain an Olympic title
- Katarina Johnson-Thompson is trying to improve on her 2012 showing
Katarina Johnson-Thompson leads the heptathlon after two events after setting a new British record in the high jump.
The 23-year-old is just ahead of fellow Brit and defending champion Jessica Ennis-Hill, who is third overall, after the 100m hurdles and high jump.
But it was Johnson-Thompson who lead the way after an impressive jump of 1.98m.
Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson sets a new British record of 1.98m in the high jump
Johnson-Thompson reacts as she clears 1.96m in the high jump
Jessica Ennis-Hill competes in the 100m hurdles - the first event of the heptathlon in Rio
Ennis-Hill clears the hurdle as she clocks a time of 12.84 seconds
Kendell Williams of USA, Brianne Theisen-Eaton of Canada and Ennis-Hill cross the line
On the opening day of the track and field in Rio, Ennis-Hill got the defence of her Olympic heptathlon crown up and running in impressive fashion by clocking 12.84 seconds in the 100 metres hurdles in far from ideal conditions on Friday.
The 30-year-old produced her third fastest time since London 2012 - and her fastest in a heptathlon since then - to lead the competition in Rio on 1,149 points.
There was even better news for Ennis-Hill with key rival, Canada's world No 1 Brianne Theisen-Eaton, only managing 13.18secs, well down on her best this year.
Ennis-Hill is out to become the first British woman to retain an Olympic title in athletics, two years after the birth of her son Reggie.
Fellow Brit Johnson-Thompson was 0.11secs behind Ennis-Hill in the hurdles
Johnson-Thompson dips for the line in her heat of the hurdles
But team-mate Johnson-Thompson, the heir to her multi-eventing throne, clocked 13.48s, 0.11 down on her best this year, but a solid enough start given the rain and a headwind.
The Britons were hit by a wall of noise on their first morning of London 2012, a teenage Johnson-Thompson saying 'Wow' at the roar which greeted her introduction.
There was no chance of that at a near empty Olympic Stadium for the start of competition here, even if the British fans were the ones making the most noise. There looked to be barely a couple of thousand spectators in the 60,000 capacity venue when the action got under way.
Ennis-Hill takes part in the high jump - the second event in the heptathlon
Ennis Hill celebrates after she clears 1.86m in the high jump
Johnson-Thompson celebrates as she clears the high jump
At least the duo were made to feel at home by the rain that came down in time for the first event of the heptathlon, leaving puddles on the track by the time Johnson-Thompson and Ennis-Hill took to the blocks.
In the high jump both Brits performed very well but it was Johnson-Thompson who took the overall lead in the heptathlon when she set a new British-record with a clearance of 1.98m.
Ennis-Hill cleared a very credible 1.86m and is third overall after the two events.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-3736183/Jessica-Ennis-Hill-begins-defence-Olympic-heptathlon-title-Katarina-Johnson-Thompson-aims-dethrone-her.html#ixzz4H91JihB8
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook