Katarina Johnson-Thompson 'surprised' at performance in Gotzis heptathlon

Katarina Johnson-Thompson admitted she is surprised by her own excellent form as she heads the field going into the final day of the Gotzis heptathlon in Austria.

The Liverpool-born athlete is leading Olympic champion, Belgian Nafi Thiam, by just three points going into a dramatic final day.

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German athlete Carolin Schafer sits just six points behind the lead in third.

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It was the 24-year-old Johnson-Thompson's best day one performance, and she remains on course for a performance better than anything they've registered before.

She is expected to outperform her rivals in the long jump and 800m, but is significantly weaker in the javelin.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR) reacts

Image credit: Reuters

And Johnson-Thompson, competing in her first heptathlon since the Rio 2016 Olympics, said her performance has took her by surprise, now wanting to enjoy the final day of competition.

"I honestly didn't expect to be leading," she said.

"I'm surprised at the shape that I'm in because I didn't feel like I was in top form coming into this so I'm really happy.

"I want to stay competitive on Sunday but I also just want to return to how I was when I was a kid, just enjoying it."

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