Katarina Johnson-Thompson, English long jumper and heptathlete

Katarina Mary Johnson-Thompson, widely known by her initials KJT, born on 9 January 1993, is an esteemed English multi-event athlete. She has established herself as one of the world's leading competitors in both the heptathlon and pentathlon, demonstrating exceptional versatility and consistently achieving at the highest levels of track and field. Her career is marked by significant international gold medals and multiple British national records, solidifying her legacy in British athletics.

The Pinnacle of Achievement: 2019 World Championships Heptathlon Triumph

Katarina Johnson-Thompson's career reached its zenith at the 2019 World Athletics Championships held in Doha, Qatar. There, she delivered an outstanding performance to clinch the gold medal in the incredibly demanding heptathlon event. This triumph was further sweetened by her setting a new British national record with an impressive score of 6,981 points. This monumental achievement not only secured her the coveted world title but also elevated her to the prestigious No. 6 position on the all-time global heptathlon lists. Her record-breaking score notably surpassed the previous British benchmark of 6,831 points, which had been held by Olympic champion Denise Lewis since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, marking a significant milestone in UK athletics history.

The heptathlon is a comprehensive two-day athletic competition designed to test an athlete's all-around skills across seven distinct disciplines. Day one typically includes the 100 metres hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200 metres, while day two features the long jump, javelin throw, and the gruelling 800 metres race.

Indoor Dominance: Pentathlon Prowess

Beyond her outdoor achievements, KJT has consistently showcased her dominance in indoor multi-event competitions. She holds the British national record for the women's pentathlon, achieved with a remarkable score of 5,000 points. The indoor pentathlon is a single-day event, comprising five disciplines: the 60 metres hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800 metres. Her consistent excellence in this format is underscored by her gold medal victories at the 2015 and 2019 European Indoor Championships, in addition to her triumphant win at the 2018 World Indoor Championships.

Individual Event Prowess: High Jump and Long Jump Records

Johnson-Thompson's exceptional athletic range is further evidenced by her strength in individual disciplines, particularly the high jump and long jump, both of which are critical scoring events within her multi-event specialisms. She proudly holds the British national high jump records, achieving an outdoor clearance of 1.98 metres in 2016 and an indoor clearance of 1.97 metres in 2015. Her early career also highlighted her significant talent in the long jump, where she secured the title of 2012 World Junior Champion and went on to claim a silver medal at the 2014 World Indoor Championships.

A Journey of Progression: Olympic and World Championship Heptathlon Results

Katarina Johnson-Thompson's journey in the heptathlon at major global championships reflects a path of steady development, learning, and remarkable resilience at the elite level:

These experiences were crucial in building towards her breakthrough performances. In 2018, she secured a significant gold medal in the heptathlon at the Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia. Later that same year, she claimed the silver medal at the European Championships in Berlin, achieving a personal best score of 6,759 points. This performance not only marked her highest score at that time but also propelled her into the world all-time Top 25 rankings for the heptathlon, setting the stage for her subsequent World Championship triumph.

Frequently Asked Questions about Katarina Johnson-Thompson

What is Katarina Johnson-Thompson's most significant achievement?
Her most significant achievement to date is winning the gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, where she also set a new British national record of 6,981 points.
What is the British record for the women's heptathlon?
The British record for the women's heptathlon stands at 6,981 points, a score set by Katarina Johnson-Thompson at the 2019 World Athletics Championships. This performance surpassed the long-standing record held by Denise Lewis.
How many events are in the heptathlon and pentathlon?
The heptathlon is a two-day event comprising seven disciplines: 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw, and 800m. The pentathlon, primarily an indoor event, consists of five disciplines completed in a single day: 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800m.
What other British national records does KJT hold?
In addition to her heptathlon record, Katarina Johnson-Thompson also holds the British record for the women's pentathlon (5,000 points) and the British high jump records for both outdoor (1.98m) and indoor (1.97m) competitions.