Athletics: Katarina Johnson-Thompson says the best is still to come

June 4, 2024

Despite her impressive win in the prestigious Hypo-meeing in Gotiz last weekend, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson says she has achieved ‘nothing yet’.

“It means everything, but in a way it means nothing because it’s not a major title to my name,” she told BBC Sport.

“To win is an amazing achievement but the Commonwealths is the main goal.”

The 21-year-old Briton scored a world-leading 6,682 points on her debut in Austria, setting a personal best to go third on the British all-time list.

The win will not only fill Johnson-Thompson with confidence going into this summer’s Commonwealth Games, but also heading towards next year’s World Championships in Beijing, after claiming the scalps of world silver medallist Theisen-Eaton and world bronze medallist Dafne Schippers.

“The field was pretty much the field which will be in Beijing at next year’s World Championships,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe I was the winner. I’m just trying not to get ahead of myself. It was only the opener for me.

“My goal this season is to win a medal at the Commonwealths. Next year, at the 2015 World Championships, that’s when I need to be winning stuff.”

With many describing her as the next Jessica Ennis-Hill, Johnson-Thompson said she was getting used to being a medal contender, after years of being billed as an up-and-coming star.

“I loved having to run the 800m with something to compete for,” said Johnson-Thompson, second overall before she completed two laps in 2:08.16 to secure victory.

Beth Shine, Sportsister
The Women’s Sport Magazine

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