Tamgho returns to training as Spotakova reflects on the heptathlon | 18.09.2012

Frenchman Teddy Tamgho, the world indoor record holder in the triple jump, is back in action after a 14-month injury lay-off.

After a fourteen-month absence, triple jump indoor world record holder Teddy Tamgho of France has restarted his training, having undergone two operations on his right ankle.

Tamgho, who as a spectator watched Christian Taylor win Olympic gold in London, plans to start competing again in early 2013, though he knows it will take him time to reach the top level once again.

Double Olympic champion and world record holder Barbora Spotakova fulfilled both of her goals at the Decastar Combined Events meet in Talence, France.

The 31-year-old set a personal best in the heptathlon of 5,880 points, and threw the javelin a heptathlon-record 60.90m.

Reflecting on her all round performance, Spotakova said: "[In the 100m hurdles] I collided with the eighth hurdle, though I've only been training with six hurdles.

"The high jump set the tone for the rest of the competition - I was happy with 1.76m, though it's a shame that in the shot put I fouled on my second attempt, which would have been beyond 14m.

She also revealed that some of her success was down to an unusual training partner: "In the 200m, I used my experience from training with my dog and won the race in 25.50."

Coming into the last day, it was all about whether or not she would achieve that javelin record in the heptathlon: "The second day started with the long jump – an event I hadn't done for 10 years – so I was happy to get through that without any injuries and reach the javelin feeling healthy.

"The spectators really supported me, and I was satisfied with my distance [60.90m], though I have to say I expected more. Now finally the holidays will come."

Indeed, this event marked the end of a hugely successful season for Spotakova in which she went over 60m in her 14 javelin competitions and won gold in London.

Of those events, she only lost out on first place in four (Doha, New York, London, Berlin), and finished the season as clear All-Athletics.com world rankings leader in the javelin.

Following his win at the Decastar in Talence, Belgian decathlete Hans Van Alphen told Belgian media that he is looking forward to the next two years which will include the World and European championships.

The 30-year-old confirmed that he wants to continue to perform at the highest level and doesn't rule out competing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.