Producing season’s-best performances within the 100m hurdles and excessive leap, she led Thiam by simply 24 factors, with 33 factors separating the three pre-competition gold medal favourites.
The shot put represents considered one of Johnson-Thompson’s weaker disciplines however she displayed her gold-medal credentials by launching one of the best throw of her life to make sure she would restrict her losses to superior thrower Thiam.
The 29-year-old Thiam edged forward by matching her private finest with an unmatched 15.54m.
However Johnson-Thompson, within the occasion which introduced a heartbreaking finish to her podium bid in Tokyo three years in the past, completed the opening day strongly to reclaim high spot.
On her good effort within the shot put, Johnson-Thompson stated: “That was solely for Denise Lewis sitting within the BBC studio.
“Most likely one of the best factor I’ve ever finished in my profession – and I’ve jumped 1.98m [for high jump]. That topped the whole lot. A bit of 14m shot put.
“I am in actually good 200m form in order that was actually irritating. I used to be aiming for as near 23 seconds as doable however it’s the heptathlon, [I was] very drained on the finish of the primary day so I will take it.”
The reigning world champion referred to as her second world heptathlon triumph in Budapest final yr “one of the best day of my life”, having accomplished a exceptional turnaround in her profession.
Following the maiden world success in 2019, Johnson-Thompson overcame a career-threatening Achilles rupture solely to undergo damage heartbreak within the 200m on the Tokyo Olympics.
Final yr, within the absence of the injured Thiam, she took world gold forward of Corridor to set herself up completely for the possibility in Paris to eventually declare an Olympic medal.
