Johnson-Thompson fights through injury to take Commonwealth gold

There was the sheer joy at sealing her maiden major outdoor heptathlon title but there was also the pain of the calf injury she had to overcome to claim it.

The 25-year-old produced northern grit when she needed it most on the Gold Coast, fighting her way to a Commonwealth Games gold medal on Friday in the Carrara Stadium.

The overnight leader, Johnson-Thompson had felt a twinge in her calf in the final event on Thursday night – the 200m.

That meant she had to nurse herself through the final three events on Friday – starting with the long jump and the javelin before the gruelling 800m finale.

By the start line for the final two-lap race, she had more than a 100-point lead, meaning her nearest rival Nina Schultz of Canada would need to beat her time by roughly 14 seconds to take gold off her.

But that was never going to happen – not on the Liverpudlian’s watch – as she sucked it up and limped home for her second gold of the season already after the world indoors in Birmingham.

“It was emotional, a very emotional day for me so I am so happy just to finish the heptathlon,” she said.

“After the 200m last night, I could feel something in my calf and it worsened in the long jump so I had to manage it.

“I thought it was under control until 300m into the 800m – then I felt it and thought about stopping but I carried on.

“Obviously I haven’t set the world alight with my performances, but I am so proud of myself for coming here, without training after Birmingham, been competitive and got a second gold medal of the year.”

Johnson-Thompson’s attentions have now turned to the European Championships in Berlin in September.

Should she complete an amazing treble of golds in 2018 – that would mark a sizeable shift from potential to podium for the all-rounder.

And the 25-year-old is confident that with the right rest, she can be ready for another title tilt in Berlin.

“I want to win three major championships, obviously it’s very risky doing combined events,” she added. 

“But that is my event and I need that experience, I need to get through them, I learn something from every one I do.

“I am on track for Europeans, I know I have a lot of work to do before then.

“I am two thirds of the way, the treble is a big ask. I said I wanted to win two golds and three medals altogether.

“I don’t want to pile loads of pressure on myself. It is really a big ask but I believe in myself.

“I have got tough competition in Europe and I won’t be going in as favourite but I am a grafter.”

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