Jessica Ennis: British Star Rolls to Heptathlon Gold

Many consider Jessica Ennis to be the face of Team Great Britain, and she proved why after taking home a gold medal in the women’s heptathlon.

The famed 26-year-old heptathlete began her dominance on Friday with a world best in the 100-meter hurdles with a mark of 12.54 seconds, earning her 1,195 points. Her high jump mark was next at 1.86 meters, tied for the fifth best in the meet, and earning her 1,054 more points. Next, she completed the shot put with a mark of 14.28, which was good for 813 points. She completed the day was the 200-meter, with  a personal best of 22.83 seconds that earned her 1,096 points.

On Saturday, Ennis began with a 6.48 meter long jump that reeled in 1,001 points. Her javelin throw was a personal best 47.48 meters and earned her 812 points.

All that stood between Ennis and the gold medal was the 800-meter, and if she recorded a score of at least 2:05:69 minutes in the 800-meter, she would become the fourth woman in history to earn an overall score of at least 7,000 points. She entered the event with a score of 5,971 and maintained a lead of 188 over her nearest competitor.

Her personal best in the 800-meter to this date was 2:08:81 and her season best was 2:08:09. She finished the 800-meter with a score of 2:08:65 and 984 points added. Her total score was 6,955, and that earned her the gold in front of the home crowd.

“It's been great. I'm having such a good time. It's been a brilliant day,” Ennis told The Los Angeles Times.

Tatyana Chernova placed silver, and Lyudmyla Yosypenko placed bronze.

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