Good queen Jess off to a flier

Jessica Ennis made a superb start to her heptathlon campaign at the World Championships in O saka by winning a heat in the 100 metres hurdles which was loaded with medal contenders.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Aug 2007, 08:42 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2007, 08:52 BST

The 21-year-old Sheffield athlete recorded a lifetime best time of 12.96 seconds to see off world No 1 Carolina Kluft of Sweden, who crossed the line in 13.15secs. Ennis’ superb start earned her a score of 1,129 points with Kluft and Sotherton tallying 1,102pts and 1,093pts.

“That’s a good start - a personal best,” said the 21-year-old Commonwealth bronze medallist, one of Britain’s best medal hopes in Japan.

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Hatti Dean (Hallamshire Harriers) and Helen Clitheroe (Preston Harriers) were eliminated from the heats of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase. Dean was fifth in heat one in 9:43.23 and Clitheroe was sixth in heat two in 9:45.59.

Overall, it left Dean as fourth fastest loser, just one place shy of qualification for Monday’s final. She said: “I just thought that if I didn’t go for it I would regret it.

“I know I did the right thing going out fast as the first heat is often the slowest.

“But I went out like I knew I had to and did my best.”

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