GOLDEN girl Katarina Johnson-Thompson was so fed up with failure three years ago she nearly jacked it all in.
But on Thursday in Doha she produced one of British athletics’ greatest performances.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is one of the all-time British greatsCredit: PA:Press Association
Four personal bests and the highest British score in history landed her the heptathlon world title.
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill — who she has leapfrogged into the record books — revealed KJT questioned her future after the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Rio was another example of under-achievement for a talented athlete.
Angry over a poor javelin throw, KJT came sixth after two punishing days in the Brazilian heat and was on the verge of forgetting her dream.
Fighting back the tears, the Liverpool star said: “I was in the moment.
“I was fed up of this feeling of losing. I was either injured or feeling my body wouldn’t respond or couldn’t make it through a heptathlon.
“I didn’t want to give up on something I truly believed but my performances weren’t up to scratch to compete against other heptathletes.
KT almost gave up her dream after years of failureCredit: Getty Images
“After that competition, I changed my life. I didn’t want to give up on something I truly believed.
“I’m happy I wasn’t crazy in thinking I could do this. And now it’s happened.”
Johnson-Thompson, 26, and boyfriend Andrew Pozzi, the 110 metres hurdler, hardly slept on Thursday night — having tried yet failed to find somewhere to serve alcohol for post-race celebrations.
The turning point was deciding to work with French coach Bertrand Valcin in Montpellier where she lives above an Irish pub.
And after crushing her seemingly invincible Belgian rival Nafi Thiam, the emotion was clear.
KJT said: “I didn’t want to cry but they were definitely good tears.
“I’ve cried enough now to last me a career. From now it’s just going to be smiles, hopefully.
“There is relief, in my fourth World Champs that something bad hasn’t happened again.
“I knew I was in good shape — but in the past I’ve been in good shape and it hasn’t always come off.
The Liverpudlian put in a breathtaking display in DohaCredit: Reuters
“It was just about not letting myself get carried away until the last minute.
“London in 2017 was quite tough as I felt I’d made the change and was doing all I could in my power and it was not paying off. But I’m stubborn and kept going.”
Britain have an incredible pentathlon and heptathlon heritage — with Olympic success through Mary Peters at Munich 1972, Denise Lewis at Sydney 2000 and Jessica Ennis-Hill at London 2012.
Less than an hour after her own victory, KJT posed for photos with Lewis and Ennis-Hill at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Though she anticipates Thiam to hit back strongly in Tokyo, Jess and Denise will be her inspiration for glory on August 6, 2020.
Johnson-Thompson, also close pals with Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer, said: “They were buzzing for me. They told me to enjoy the moment.
“Denise was a big help in that move to France. She was who I went over with at first. She had a big sway in the way my life went. So did Jess, who inspired me in 2012.
“I’ve always wanted an Olympic gold. So I won’t be short of inspiration.
“It’s the best position I’ve been in — a gold medal, injury free, national record.
“It will be a dangerous Nafi I will be competing against next year.
“I’ll keep the same energy, go back into training and want the same things.”
Katarina Johnson-Thompson wins gold at the heptathalon at Athletics World Championships in Doha
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
