TOKYO (Reuters) – Defending Olympic champion Nafi Thiam seized control of the heptathlon on Thursday with the day’s best performance in the javelin and long jump, leaving the Belgian with just the final discipline of the 800 metres to negotiate to claim victory.
After ending Wednesday’s programme third in the standings, Thiam launched a 54.68m throw in the javelin on her second attempt, her best performance this season, and came up with a 6.60m leap in the long jump.
Heading into the seventh and final event later on Thursday, Thiam has a 64-point lead over the Netherlands’ Anouk Vetter, who clapped her hands in frustration after throwing 51.20m in the javelin.
American Kendell Williams was third and Dutchwoman Emma Oosterwgel fourth.
If she can hold on for the win, Thiam would be the first athlete since Jackie Joyner-Kersee to win back-to-back Olympic heptathlon titles.
Briton Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s bid for gold ended on Wednesday when she suffered a calf injury in the 200m event.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
