Rio 2016: Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jessica Ennis-Hill in pole positions for heptathlon glory

Both Johnson-Thompson and Ennis-Hill impressed at the Olympic Stadium earlier today

Jessica Ennis-Hill in action in the Olympic Stadium (Getty)

Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jessica Ennis-Hill delivered one stellar performance each in their Olympic pentathlon battle on Friday to leave it pretty much neck and neck ahead of tonight’s events.

Despite the drizzly, dank conditions Ennis-Hill ran a storming 12.84sec in the opening event, the 100m hurdles, in a disappointingly empty Olympic Stadium. The Brit was the only competitor to duck in under 13 seconds and while the time was slower than her effort in London four years on her way to Super Saturday gold, it was faster than she achieved in winning last year’s World Championship gold in Beijing.

KJT, running in the third heat, Ennis-Hill was in the fourth, made a slow start but burst through in the last 50m to finish second in 13.48. Her personal best is 13.37 so she couldn’t be too despondent.

The hurdles are an Ennis-Hill strength and she looked electric as she shot out of the blocks before gliding to the line. It was shy of her PB of 12.54 but given the wet conditions it was a superb effort. Ennis-Hill delivering on the biggest stage yet again.

The high jump followed and it was Johnson-Thompson’s turn to make her mark setting a new British record of 1m 98 to move into the overall lead after two events. Ennis-Hill cleared 1.89, which was her best height since giving birth.

KJT is top of the standings on 2,264 points, Ennis-Hill in third on 2,242.