JCCM Jane Cowmeadow Communications and Management

Ennis Wins Gotzis Against the World's Best.

Jun 1, 12:24 PM

Source PA

Jessica Ennis resisted a massive challenge from Tatyana Chernova to beat the Olympic bronze medallist for the Hypomeeting heptathlon title in Gotzis on Sunday.

Ennis after seeing the Russian dominate the long jump and javelin contests, blunted her challenge when beating her easily in the 800 metres and achieve victory by an impresive 117 points with a score of 6689.

But it was a nerve wracking second day for the world champion who was a huge 354pts clear of the Russian lying third overnight, but who she knew would mount a powerful second day attack.

Chernova lived up to her reputation when producing a leap of 6.52 metres and throw of 51.35m which closed the gap betwen the pair to 77pts before the final event while Ennis failed to perform as well as she would have liked.

The Sheffield star managed a long jump of only 6.13m although her javelin furthest of 43.10m was very close to her season’s best but both ruled out ambitions of breaking Denise Lewis’s 10-year-old UK record of 6831pts.

Ennis despite the backlash Chernova had unleashed with her great performances in the terrible weather conditions with rain pouring down almost incessantly, knew as currently the faster performer, she held the trump card in the 800m.

The 24-year-old was content to track her rival on their two lap circuit of the Mosle stadium to maintain her unbeaten record since a career threatening injury at the Austrian track two years ago, forced her to miss the Beijing Olympic Games.

“I was really nervous before the 800m so decided to stick behind her and take her at the end,” said Ennis who unleashed a terrific sprint in the final 200m to win in a time of 2:11:19 with Chernova fading to fifth.

“I know she wanted to win but I knew I would have more strength at the end.”

However Ennis although producing another positive victory in beating Chernova and the world’s current crop of leading heptathletes, is well aware it was a close fought call.

“I new it would be difficult the weather was horrible, but I went out there trying to pefform to the best of my ability,” sdaid Ennis scoring the first British success in Gotzis since Lewis in 1997.

“I was a little disappointed particularly with the long jump and the javelin, but all in all with the weather being so bad, I was quite happy.”

Ennis admitted: “To be honest today’s been difficult but it felt quite comfortable – I just wish we’d had nicer conditions.

But insisting losing was never on her mind, she said: “I worried a little but I had such a good day yesterday when I put myself so far out in front I knew it was going to take a lot for them to pull back at me.

“I am happy as well to come here and win and get rid of all of them demons from the last time.”
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