The first day of the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 ended with Anna Hall holding a comfortable lead over Olympic champion Nafi Thiam and defending world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
The expected battle between the three stars of the event has so far lived up to expectations, though there’s also a chance that Ireland’s Kate O’Connor could keep one of the big three off the podium.
All three of the pre-event favourites started the session by running season’s bests in the 100m hurdles, Hall speeding to 13.05, Johnson-Thompson clocking 13.44 and Thiam running 13.61. USA’s Taliyah Brooks was the only athlete to dip under 13 seconds, clocking 12.93.
Hall moved into the overall lead after the high jump, where she cleared 1.89m. Thiam matched her at that height while Johnson-Thompson ended with a best of 1.86m.
Hall, who joined the 7000-point club in Gotzis earlier this year, extended her lead with a 15.80m heave in the shot put, increasing her margin over Thiam (14.85m) and Johnson-Thompson (13.37m).
The US all-rounder ended her day with a 23.50 run in the 200m, giving her a day-one score of 4154, just seven points shy of her tally en route to her world-leading 7032 earlier this year. Thiam, who clocked 25.52 in the 200m, currently sits in sixth with 3818 and Johnson-Thompson third, her 23.51 run bringing her tally to 3893.
Ireland’s Kate O’Connor has also enjoyed a strong first day. She matched Johnson-Thompson’s marks in the 100m hurdles and high jump, then followed it with 14.37m in the shot and 24.07 in the 200m, putting her second overall with 3906.
The heptathlon continues on Saturday (20) with the long jump, javelin and 800m.
More to follow…