Athletics-Ennis-Hill to compete at world championships

Jessica Ennis-Hill has announced that she is available to compete in the World Championships in Beijing next month.

The 29-year-old’s participation in China had been in some doubt due to the fact that she had only recently returned to action following the birth of her first child previous year.

Ennis-Hill made her decision to compete with coach Toni Minichiello in the wake of her performances at the Olympic Stadium, with her hurdles showing in particular – her time of 12.79s was her second fastest ever – emphatic evidence her speed is back.

Ennis-Hill’s decision comes three days after she produced her best three performances since winning gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The track and field athlete had said she would only compete in the World Championships if she felt she could challenge for a medal.

She said: “I’ve had an unbelievable career already and achieved so much”. “I wouldn’t go, I’d just train, do some platform work and then move on next year towards Rio, which is the critical thing”.

Middlesbrough sprinter Richard Kilty – the world indoor 60m champion – is in the squad, as is 1,500m runner and Leeds Beckett University-based Laura Weightman.

“I am making progress and my times are coming down”. I know things can go wrong in the heptathlon, but if I feel I can contend for a silver medal and things go wrong and I come away with a bronze medal I’d be absolutely ecstatic with that performance. I’m really happy with this weekend.

Ennis-Hill has enjoyed a vast improvement improved since she made her comeback . “But I want to win a medal”.

“I definitely feel a lot more positive”.