Jessica Ennis

Nickname

Fellow British heptathlete Kelly Sotherton calls her 'Tadpole.' (sport.guardian.co.uk, 23 Mar 2008)

Hobbies

Walking her Labrador Myla, listening to music on her iPod. (news.bbc.co.uk, 22 Mar 2011)

Occupation

Athlete

Education

Psychology - Sheffield University, Sheffield, GBR

Family

Fiance Andy Hill

Language(s) spoken

English

Club name

City of Sheffield Athletics Club, Sheffield, GBR

Coach

Toni Minichiello from 2000 (Jessicaennis.net, 21 Feb 2012)

Injuries

In 2011 she was forced to miss the European Indoor Championships with a swollen ankle and calf and was out for seven weeks. (dailymail.co.uk, 21 April 2011)

Missed the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing because of stress fractures to her right ankle that resulted in a remodelled long jump technique, leaping off what used to be her wrong foot. (bbc.co.uk, 16 Aug 2009; news.bb c.co.uk, 02 Jun 2008)

Additional information

Start of sporting career
She started when she was about nine years old in Sheffield, England. (telegraph.co.uk, 25 Dec 2007; News.bbc.co.uk, 22 Mar 2011)

Reason for taking up this sport
"As I grew up I kept getting better and better results so the decision was really made for me." (telegraph.co.uk, 25 Dec 2007; News.bbc.co.uk, 22 Mar 2011)

Ambitions
To win a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (The Star 2007; telegraph.co.uk, 25 Dec 2007)

Training
Twice a day, six days a week (News.bcc.co.uk, 22 Mar 2011)

Most memorable sporting achievement
Becoming world champion at the age of 23
(news.bbc.co.uk, 22 Mar 2011)


Hero
Heptathletes Denise Lewis and Carolina Kluft. (telegraph.co.uk, 25 Dec 2007; eis2win.co.uk, 21 Aug 2007)

Most influential person in career
Her parents (avivaatheltics.co.uk, 21 Feb 2012)

Sporting philosophy / motto
"Enjoy life and have no regrets." (european-athletics.org, 16 Apr 2008)

Awards
In August 2009, she was the first British woman to win a gold medal in heptathlon at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin. (guardian.co.uk, 16 Aug 2009)

In 2009 she was the Sportswoman of the Year by the sports journalist association.
(espn.co.uk, 21 Feb 2012)


General
COMEBACK VICTORY
She made a comeback from a serious stress fracture to her right ankle in 2008 to secure Britain's first heptathlon gold medal at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin. "I was at such a low point last year so to come back from that and so strongly, it's amazing. It's been the longest two days of my life but the best. I can't believe it. I'm the world champion, I feel like crying."
(news.bbc.co.uk, 16 Aug 2009)

COACH
She says her coach and mentor, Toni Minichiello, has been a massive part of her career. He has taught her to keep focused during the event and to stay positive, even though they occasionally argue. "We row all the time, sometimes we really shout at each other. Of course, I'm always right and he's always wrong. We know what we can get away with saying to each other. Neither of us do grovelling or apologising." (sport.guardian.co.uk, 23 Mar 2008; telegraph.co.uk, 25 Dec 2007)

WEAKNESSES
She has been working with former British javelin thrower, Mick Hill, to improve her technique and admits her throws have let her down during competition. "I'm not a natural thrower. I can't pick up a shot or a javelin and get in the correct position straightaway, it takes a while to hone the technique.
She also has trouble with her long jump. "'I've got really good jumping ability, I've got that spring but a few technical bits are keeping me back." (sport.guardian.co.uk, 23 Mar 2008)