Silver, not gold, for Jessica Ennis

She was in the lead – but not by much, at the 13th World Athletics Championships in Daegu. The poster girl of 2012 wore her burden lightly – and jumped as far as she ever has. Two events left – her heptathlon world title might just be safe.

But first the javelin. It always was her weak suit. And today it was her undoing. Way short of her main opponent, now way behind on points – with only the 800 metres to go.

Ennis went like the clappers from the off – first five then 10 metres clear – there was still hope.

But she flat ran out of puff. Russian Tatyana Chernova ground down the gap. Ennis World Champion no more.

Jessica is not too downcast, though, saying she knew today was going to be “very, very difficult” and that she had to give it everything:

“I came here to win the gold medal, it started off poor and unfortunately the javelin was a big disaster for me.

“Next year’s where I want the gold. I’ll come back really strong next year.”

But turning that silver to gold come next summer won’t be easy.