Superb Ennis wins heptathlon gold

ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Berlin Date: 15-23 August
Coverage: Watch the action live and highlights on BBC Two, BBC HD, Red Button, Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website (video for UK users only)
Full BBC coverage details

Highlights - Ennis wins heptathlon gold

Jessica Ennis secured Britain's first ever heptathlon gold at the World Championships after completing a dominant victory in Berlin.

The 23-year-old sealed the landmark success by winning her heat of the 800m to finish on 6731 points, 238 clear of Germany's Jennifer Oeser.

Kamila Chudzik was third with Olympic champion Nataliya Dobrynska in fourth.

Ennis led the heptathlon from start to finish and never looked back after winning three of the first four events.

"It's been the longest two days of my life but the best," she told BBC Sport. "I can't believe it. I'm the world champion, I feel like crying.

"I've dreamt so many times about winning medals and becoming world champion, doing a lap of honour. It's the best feeling in the world. I can't even put into words how I feel right now, it's such an adrenaline rush and such an amazing feeling."

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In the last two days in Berlin, Ennis has metamorphosed from talented contender to proven champion, just when British athletics was starting to wonder where the next star might be coming from

The victory was made even sweeter by the fact that Ennis missed out on the Beijing Olympics last year because of a stress fracture to her right ankle, an injury that was considered potentially career-threatening.

"I was at such a low point last year so to come back from that and so strongly, it's amazing," she added.

Ennis fell just 100 points short of the British record held by Denise Lewis but surpassed the achievements of both Lewis, who won world silver in 1997 and 1999, and Kelly Sotherton, who beat Ennis to win bronze two years ago.

"I was so worried, I didn't know how I was going to come back," admitted Ennis.

"I didn't know what kind of shape I'd be in and this year has just gone from strength to strength and now I'm world champion."

Ennis had led by 307 points going into the final day after amassing 4,124 points, the third-highest first-day heptathlon total in history.

That lead was cut to 269 points after the long jump, Ennis finishing ninth with a mark of 6.29m.

The margin was reduced further in the javelin despite Ennis registering a steady throw of 43.54m in the first round. Chudzik threw 48.72m to close within 171 points of the lead, with Oeser in third.

Ennis elated after 'best year ever'

The 171 points translated into a 12-second gap for the 800m but Ennis did not take things easy, storming clear at the start before holding on to win her heat in two minutes, 12.22 seconds.

Oeser was second in a time of 2:14.34, with Chudzik third in 2:18.58.

"That was just pure nerves, pure adrenaline, and then I just had to hang on and needed to do enough to win the medal," said Ennis. "I knew what times I needed to run and I just went off too fast.

"I was really pleased, it was consistent solid performances (overall) and I also know that I have a lot more to give in most of the events as well.

"I'm looking forward to next year and the year after. I'm 23 now and hopefully have a good few years left in me and can crank up a few more points.

"It's about staying injury free now and getting on with it. Hopefully I've had my worst injury, touch wood."