Jess Ennis-Hill takes four-month break to save her career

 
2 August 2013

Coach Toni Minichiello today confirmed Jessica Ennis-Hill faces a 15-week lay-off and that she pulled out of next week’s World Athletics Championships to prevent the rest of her career being blighted by injury.

The 27-year-old heptathlete withdrew from the event in Moscow earlier this week because of the Achilles and heel problems she has been struggling with throughout the summer.

Ennis-Hill managed to compete in the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games last weekend in the hurdles and the long jump but was some way below her best.

And Minichiello says the Sheffield-born athlete is now looking at a recovery period of up to four months.

“When she didn’t respond well after the London Diamond League, the position was that it didn’t make sense and you’re probably going to cause her more damage and lose the remaining years of her career to struggling with the injury,” he told the BBC.

He added: “As a coach I’m not prepared to take that kind of risk so decisions are made and we pulled her at that stage.

“Achilles tendons are awkward and there’s a period of rest [involved]. If we’re lucky then we’re looking at a 12 to 15-week recuperation period.”

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