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Jessica Ennis-Hill wins heptathlon gold at World Championships

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Jessica Ennis-Hill has won heptathlon gold at the World Championships in Beijing - just 13 months after giving birth to her son Reggie.

In doing so Ennis-Hill has secured her first major championship success since London 2012, despite only returning to action in May.

The Briton, who sat in the gold medal position at the end of day one, easily held off the challenge of Brianne Theisen Easton to win her 800 metres heat in 2:10.13 at the Bird's Nest Stadium after solid displays in the long jump and javelin.

It capped a remarkable two days for the 29-year-old, who wasn't sure she would even compete at the World Championships after last month's Anniversary Games.

"I can't believe I'm here in the Birds Nest," she said. "This time last year I'd just had my son and it's an incredible feeling."

However, there was only disappointment for her distraught compatriot Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

Johnson-Thompson went into Sunday second and well in contention but three foul jumps in the long jump cost her a shot at gold.

The 22-year-old had to complete both the javelin and 800m despite her disqualification in the field event, jogging home in the latter in 2:50.73 before breaking down in tears at the side of the track.

"Right before my first throw, I saw (British Athletes performance director) Neil Black come down to my coach," an emotional Johnson-Thompson told the BBC about the appeal.

"I had to know. I couldn't compete without knowing. I just went over and said 'what's the deal?' I was a bit deflated at that point to say the least.

"This is the last place I wanted to be right now.

"I had to compete the 800m if I wanted to go to the long jump. That's not my fitness (behind that slow time). I want to save my legs."