Jessica Ennis-Hill

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill

Sitter in 2 portraits
Jessica Ennis-Hill is one of Britain’s most successful track and field athletes, specialising in the multi-discipline heptathlon and pentathlon events. Born and raised in Sheffield, she was introduced to athletics by her parents at a young age. After meeting coach Toni Minichiello, Ennis-Hill joined the City of Sheffield and Dearne Athletic Club and performed successfully in numerous junior athletics competitions. In 2009, Ennis-Hill achieved her first heptathlon world title (she won again in 2011 and 2015), despite returning from an injury that forced her to change her take-off leg in the long jump from right to left. Ennis-Hill gained gold at the European championships and became world indoor pentathlon champion in 2010. Her legendary sporting status was secured when at the 2012 London Olympic Games, she won the heptathlon gold medal with a British and Commonwealth record-breaking score. After winning silver at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Ennis-Hill retired from professional sport. Her many accolades include the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, and she was created Dame that same year.