Many have been whispering about the absolute talent of Anna Hall. Last summer, at the World Championships, this writer caught up with Jackie Joyner Kersee, the GOAT in the heptathlon. JJK told RunBlogRun that Anna Hall is the “it girl”-she has everything.
RunBlogRun will be posting Anna Hall’s interview with Socialing the Distance this coming weekend. But mark my word, the battle for Budapest is beginning, and it will include Anna Hall and Nafi Thiam.
Hall 6988 WL
GOTZIS (AUT, May 28): With a gun-to-tape 2:02.97 800m (58.51 at 400m), Anna Hall from the United States won the Gotzis Hypo-Meeting (WA CET Gold) with a brilliant 6988 points to move to fifth on the world all-time list behind Jackie Joyner-Kersee (7291), Carolina Kluft (7032), Nafissatou Thiam (7013) and Larisa Nikitina (7007). Hall concluded her heptathlon with 6.54m in the long jump and 43.08m in the javelin before her solo 2:02.97 in the 800m.
Former world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson returned to form with 6556 points, finishing second with Poland’s Adrianna Sulek third with 6480 points. Finland’s world and European U20 champion Saga Vanninen set a lifetime best of 6391 points to finish fourth, while European U18 champion Jana Koscak from Croatia, who only turned 17 earlier this month, set a world U18 senior heptathlon best of 6293 points (also NR). In total, 16 athletes broke the 6000 points-barrier.
Street Meet, photo by Kevin Morris
