• Athletics

Ennis holds off Russian threat to claim Hypomeeting title

ESPN staff
May 30, 2010
Jessica Ennis stuck to the tail of her rival in the 800m © Getty Images
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Jessica Ennis claimed the Hypomeeting heptathlon title on Sunday after an impressive 800m performance saw off the threat of Olympic bronze medallist Tatyana Chernova.

Ennis had begun the day with a huge 354-point advantage, but Chernova's best events were still to come. Producing a gigantic leap of 6.52m in the long jump and then a javelin throw of 51.35m, the Russian cut the gap to 77 points going into the final event.

By this point Ennis knew she could not break Denis Lewis's 10-year UK record of 6,831 points, but she still knew victory in the 800m would claim the title. A sprint down the final 200m wrapped up the tournament, with Chernova finishing the race in fifth.

"I was really nervous before the 800m so decided to stick behind her and take her at the end," said Ennis. "I know she wanted to win but I knew I would have more strength at the end.

"I was a little disappointed, particularly with the long jump and the javelin, but all in all with the weather being so bad, I was quite happy. Today's been difficult, but it felt quite comfortable - I just wish we'd had nicer conditions."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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