Katarina Johnson-Thompson leads heptathlon after day one at Commonwealth Games following strong performances

A season’s best in both the high jump and shot put means Katarina Johnson-Thompson leads the heptathlon at the Commonwealth Games after the opening day. The 29-year-old, who won the 2019 world title, made a sluggish start and was fifth after an underwhelming 13.83 seconds in the 100m hurdles.

Ad/> But having moved into the lead after topping the high-jump rankings with a clearance of 1.84m, Johnson-Thompson built some momentum threw 12.94m in the first round of the shot putt. World ChampionshipsJohnson-Thompson changes coach ahead of World Athletics Championships14/07/2022 AT 10:09 The defending champion then breezed to victory in the 200m with a time of 23.70, securing 1,010 points and ensuring she ends the day in the lead with 3,765.

/> 'I can retire now' — Peaty in humorous mood after winning 50m breaststroke gold Northern Ireland’s Kate O’Connor is in second with 3,659, 109 points adrift and Taneille Crase of Australia is in third, a further 52 points behind the leader. Johnson-Thompson, who changed her coach in the lead-up to the World Athletics Championships, has struggled to find form since recovering from a calf injury, which she suffered at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.