KAT AND NOUS GAME

KJT plans to play it smart as she eyes her first European gold medal

- ALAN SMITH

KATARINA JohnsonThompson is more revved up than ever as she enters an Olympic summer injury-free.

But the heptathlon world champion insists she is focusing on performance more than outcome heading into her latest clash with Nafi Thiam this weekend.

KJT has been served a golden opportunity to get one over her biggest rival at the European Championships, which begin today in Rome.

World-record holder Thiam is looking to qualify for the Olympics by completing her first heptathlon since winning the European title in August 2022. She pulled out of last year's worlds because of injury, a title which KJT claimed in dramatic fashion by fending off American Anna Hall's late challenge.