O’Connor bounces back to lead O’Dowda in heptathlon
Northern Ireland's Kate O'Connor holds the overnight lead in the Commonwealth Games heptathlon after the opening four events in Glasgow, putting her three events away from a first Commonwealth gold. England's Jade O'Dowda sits 49 points behind in second, with Katarina Johnson-Thompson having withdrawn on the eve of competition, opening the door for a new champion for the first time in eight years.
O'Connor was third in the 100m hurdles and struggled with the shot put in torrential rain at Scotstoun Stadium, briefly losing the lead to O'Dowda, but a dominant 200m run of 24.14 seconds restored her advantage heading into Wednesday's final three events (long jump, javelin and 800m). Australia's Mia Scerri lies a distant third, England's Niamh Emerson is fourth in medal contention, and Northern Ireland's Anna McCauley is sixth, just 39 points off bronze after winning her 200m heat.
- Kate O'Connor leads the heptathlon after day one in Glasgow
- Jade O'Dowda is second, 49 points behind O'Connor
- Johnson-Thompson's withdrawal opens door for new champion
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A heptathlon is a seven-event athletic competition that combines sprinting, hurdles, jumping and throwing across two days. The women's event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is a prestigious competition that tests an athlete's all-round athletic ability.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson of England, who had dominated the event at recent Commonwealth Games, withdrew before this competition began. This has created an unusual opening for a new champion, as no one else has won the Commonwealth heptathlon gold for eight years.
Northern Ireland's Kate O'Connor is currently leading the competition after four of the seven events, with England's Jade O'Dowda in second place. The remaining three events take place on Wednesday and will determine the winner of the gold medal.