Ennis leaps ahead|Olympic 2012 news

Sheffield star on course for gold with two events remaining

Britain's Jessica Ennis produced a leap of 6.48 metres in the long jump to retain her lead in the Olympic heptathlon.

Ennis has struggled with her run-up this season, committing seven fouls in 12 attempts during two competitions earlier this summer, and managed just 5.95m with her first attempt.

However, the 26-year-old then hit the board perfectly on her second attempt to soar out to 6.40m, just 11cm down on her personal best and worth 975 points.

She then went better with her final leap to leave her with a total of 5159 as Olympic champion Nataliya Dobrynska struggled. Russian challenger Tatyana Chernova produced the best jump with 6.54 metres to keep up the pressure on Ennis and slotted into third place in the overall competition with 4869 points with Austra Skujyte in second on 4901 points.

Britain's Louise Hazel and Katarina Johnson-Thompson leapt 5.17 and 6.19 respectively.

Ennis led by 184 points overnight with the long jump, javelin and 800m to come.

Ennis will hope she does not repeat the poor performance in the javelin that cost her gold in the World championships in Daegu.

The Sheffield athlete admitted she had amazed even herself after an excellent effort on day one at London 2012.

"I knew it was a fast track from the hurdles and I'm made up to run a PB in the 200m as well," said Ennis, whose hurdles time of 12.54 seconds was a British record and equalled the time which won individual gold in Beijing.

"I think coming into this I knew I was in good shape, but I couldn't imagine performing like this, I've definitely exceeded my expectations.

"It's been a bit up and down but two PBs is great. It's been amazing, the crowd have been unbelievable. They really do lift you. When you run round the bend you can hear the roar."
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