Jessica Ennis-Hill Wants to Defend her Heptathlon Championship

One of the UK’s best female athletes will be looking to defend her heptathlon championship in a couple weeks in Rio.

Sheffield’s Jessica Ennis-Hill is about as accomplished a track and field athlete can get. She has medaled in almost every major heptathlon championship competition she entered, and made UK gambling news by winning gold at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Now, nearly four years later, she hopes to do it again.

Her most recent performance at the IAAF combined events challenge in Ratingen certainly indicates she is ready. Ennis-Hill won gold here, and set a new personal best in the long jump with an incredible 6.63m. She told The Guardian she is not entirely stress-free heading into Brazil, but feels more confident than she did at the London Games.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to completely relax, and I can feel the nerves building already – excitement as well but kind of anxious and nervous – but it does feel completely different. I don’t feel the kind of stress and pressure I had in 2012, and last year as well when I decided I was going to Beijing.”

The Odds Makers Are Picking Ennis-Hill as Well

Jessica Ennis-Hill’s recent victory in Ratingen sent a message that she is ready to win gold again. Many of the online sportsbooks in the UK are picking her as the favorite to win Gold and defend her heptathlon championship.

She will be facing some strong competition. Brianne Theisen-Eaton (no relation to Ashton Eaton) has emerged as one of the best woman’s heptathlon athletes currently competing. She took 1st place at the 2016 World Indoor Championships, and is currently listed as a 2/1 underdog on PaddyPower to win gold in Rio.

What do you think? Can Jessica Ennis-Hill hold on to her heptathlon championship and win gold a second straight time? Leave your comments below!