SM
Yemen vs. Saudi Arabia: 20 hrs 1 min
Upcoming predictions and previews

On This Day: Kelly Sotherton claims heptathlon gold in Melbourne

:Headline: On This Day: Kelly Sotherton claims heptathlon gold in Melbourne: ID:440260: from db_amp
Kelly Sotherton, then aged 29, claimed what proved the sole major title of her career.

Kelly Sotherton won heptathlon gold at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne on this day in 2006.

Sotherton, then aged 29, claimed what proved the sole major title of her career to give England a fourth of six athletics golds at the Games.

After she saw her commanding lead after five events almost cut in half following a poor javelin display, fourth place in the final event, the 800 metres, was enough to seal overall victory.

Sotherton (left) was champion while the bronze medal went to England team-mate Jessica Ennis (right) (Gareth Copley/PA).

She finished with 6,396 points, 98 ahead of Australian silver-medallist Kylie Wheeler, while Sotherton's 20-year-old team-mate Jessica Ennis – who had been a point ahead of Wheeler heading into the 800m – took bronze with 6,269.

Despite becoming champion, Sotherton expressed unhappiness over her performance, particularly her showing in the javelin – her best of 32.04m was more than a metre down on the 33.09m which ultimately cost her a world championship bronze medal in Helsinki the previous year.

"At the moment I'm disappointed, not for gold but for my points total," she said.

"I had a rubbish day today, my javelin is just getting worse. I have no words to describe how gutted I am at letting myself down.

Sotherton (second left) sealed victory after coming fourth in the 800 metres (Gareth Copley/PA).

"But when I stand on the top step of the podium and listen to the national anthem for the first time ever I think I'll realise I have achieved something quite good today. I just wanted to win and get across the line to become Commonwealth champion."

Sotherton had claimed heptathlon bronze at the 2004 Olympics in Athens – further bronzes were earned from the heptathlon at the Osaka 2007 World Championships and Beijing 2008 Olympics, and the 4x400m relay at the latter.

Sotherton, who announced her retirement in 2012, did not receive the Beijing medals until 2018, having been upgraded following disqualifications.

amp_article__440260 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-22 08:18:32:
html db last update - 2021-03-22 08:18:32 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .