ENNIS-HILL ON FORM

THE OLYMPIC HEPTATHLON CHAMPION WINS THE HURDLES, SHOT PUT AND JAVELIN, WHILE ALSO POSTING A GOOD 200M TIME

STEPHEN GREEN

CHAMPIONS are made when no one is watching, in the hours away from the packed stadium and cheering crowds.

Jessica Ennis-Hill threw her final shot and stepped outside the circle with just a dozen family and friends plus athletics anoraks in a distant corner of the stadium.

She had earlier won the competition with a good 14.02m, which was her best since 2012. The announcer stated that that was the final throw of the day and the small crowd quietly dispersed.

After missing Gotzis, Ennis-Hill showed her ability in Manchester

DAVID HEWITSON

On this form, Ennis-Hill’s first multi-event competition will be worth watching in Ratingen, Germany on June 25.

Earlier, she shared an umbrella with one of her fellow competitors. This scene could not have been any further from what the defending heptathlon champion can expect in the Rio in August.

Jessica Ennis-Hill: showed good form ahead of Olympic defence

Sheffield’s finest competed in four events, much to the appreciation of her fellow competitors and the hardy spectators. Her hurdles victory in 13.10 (-1.5m/sec) ahead of Alicia Barrett (13.84), who also won the under-20 100m in 11.98, represented a championship best.

The time was even more impressive as the race was run when the rain was almost monsoon-like, so much so that the later ambulant 100m race was delayed due to the potential for an accident with “blade-runners” competing.

On day two, she returned again in the heats of the 200m. Ennis-Hill clearly meant business, recording a swift 23.42. This represented her only appearance over the halflap, as she scratched from the final as planned later in the day.

The javelin has perhaps been one of her weaker events, but this looks to be changing as she threw the spear out to 45.02m, her best since 2013.

She appeared generally satisfied with her weekend’s work as she headed back over the Pennines. Her coach, Tony Minichiello, said: “Event by event it was a very good competition. The hurdles time (13.10) was slightly quicker than her opener last year and the shot was pleasing in slippery conditions; the circle was very slick.

“We decided to choose the 200m over the long jump due to the timetable and were happy with 23.42 in the heats. The javelin (45.02m) was really pleasing off a shortened approach.

“I think it’s important to compete in regional and county championships. Many athletes go off around Europe chasing glamorous times and distances. There’s no reason you can’t do it at events like this. I think it’s good that Jessica is around the other athletes – they appreciate her competing – and we can train tomorrow as this venue is just an hour away.”