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Katarina Johnson-Thompson admits Thiam absence is 'real shame'

Katarina Johnson-Thompson admits Thiam absence is 'real shame'
© Reuters
Johnson-Thompson is preparing for next month's European Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson has revealed she is disappointed she cannot face rival Nafi Thiam on the European stage next month.

The Commonwealth heptathlon champion won in the long jump at the British Indoor Championships on Sunday.

She will compete in the pentathlon, picking her events, at the French National Championships next weekend ahead of March's European Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

Nafi Thiam, pictured, is a fierce rival of Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Nafi Thiam, pictured, is a fierce rival of Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Martin Rickett/PA)

Olympic, world and European champion Thiam has a calf problem and will not compete in the pentathlon in Scotland.

And after winning in Birmingham with a jump of 6.46m, Johnson-Thompson wants to face the Belgian.

"Yeah, it's a real shame. I was a bit gutted because she wasn't in Birmingham last year and I like to compete against her," said Johnson-Thompson, ahead of her next competition in Miramas.

"She is going to be a fierce competitor and I am excited for the outdoors.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson in action against Nafi Thiam
Katarina Johnson-Thompson in action against Nafi Thiam (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I haven't done a pentathlon this year so I don't know (if she is favourite in Glasgow) because there are a lot of good girls out there and anything can happen on the day.

"If I can concentrate on me and get my events where they need to be, then I'll be fine."

Johnson-Thompson won World Indoor pentathlon gold in Birmingham last March – her first major title – before winning the Commonwealth heptathlon crown and silver, behind Thiam, at the European Championships in August.

The 26-year-old also finished second in the 60m hurdles on Saturday.

"I was so happy with my hurdles time and my placing. I've never really won a hurdles medal before," she added.

"I'm happy with the long jump, I would have liked a little bit longer and fewer no-jumps.

"Training is going great, I feel in really good shape I just need to make the switch from heavy training to sharp competition."

Elsewhere, on a day short of top names, Tom Bosworth won the 5,000m race walk in a season's best of 19 minutes 22.56 seconds.

The 29-year-old won silver in the 20k event at last year's Commonwealth Games.

"I'm exhausted. I've had a mare of a week. I came back from South Africa and I've been sick," he said. "I pushed the pace and it was a bit of a shame that he got disqualified because I didn't have it in my legs today.

"I love competing on home soil and people know more about race walking and about me and I want to put on a show and entertain everyone."

Morgan Lake, who won Commonwealth Games silver last year, took the high jump title with 1.94m.

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