Katarina Johnson-Thompson retains heptathlon lead with two events remaining

England’s Jade O’Dowda stormed up to second following the long jump on Wednesday morning.

England’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson holds a slender lead. (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Katarina Johnson-Thompson holds onto a slim lead as she tries to retain her Commonwealth Games heptathlon title.

The defending champion is 122 points ahead of England’s Jade O’Dowda after the long jump on Wednesday morning in Birmingham.

O’Dowda posted a leap of 6.52m to earn 1014 points compared to Johnson-Thompson’s best effort of 6.33m.

It means Johnson-Thompson maintains a slender advantage ahead of the javelin, one of her weaker events, and the final 800m on Wednesday evening.

The 29-year-old held an overnight lead of 109 points as she looks for a first major title since her World Championships victory in 2019.

Matt Hudson-Smith breezed through the first round of the 400m at the Alexander Stadium.

The Wolverhampton-born star won bronze at the World Championships in Eugene last month and won his heat in 46.26 seconds.