Katarina Johnson-Thompson proved British female athletes should not be underestimated when she took home the heptathlon gold at the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 last week.
The 26-year-old Liverpudlian scored 6,981 points at the tournament, being held in Qatar, setting not only a personal best, but a new British record.
She managed to beat British record-holder Jessica Ennis-Hill, who previously scored 6,955 for her heptathlon contest at the London Olympics 2012.
Showing her support for fellow heptathlete, the now retired Ennis-Hill told the Mirror: “Nobody can doubt her now. She has faced the best in the world and come out on top.”
This accolade for Johnson-Thompson comes after several years of competing in international competitions, including the London Olympics 2012, previous World Championships, and Rio 2016 Olympics. During the latter tournament, she placed sixth with a mark of 6,523.
However, the athlete is now on track to take home the top prize at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics later this summer.
Johnson-Thompson has clearly been left overwhelmed by her own achievements, taking to Twitter to say: “Honestly I can not believe what happened last night. WORLD CHAMPION. PB & New British record 6981 what the hell! [sic]”
Support for the rising star has been so great, this tweet alone has been re-tweeted 3,700 times and liked by 86,800 people on the social network.
Female athletes are doing wonders for encouraging young women to get into sport, particularly when they walk away with huge accolades such as this.
If Johnson-Thompson’s achievements have inspired you, why not look at Putney netball lessons and see what you are capable of?