English Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the heptathlon titleholder, has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games, which kicked off in Glasgow on Thursday, as she recovers from injury and focuses on preparing for the European Championships next month. The 33-year-old Katarina won gold for England at the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Games, and also claimed silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The athlete wrote on Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened to have to withdraw from this year's Commonwealth Games. I was really looking forward to competing on home soil and to the opportunity to defend my title.' The English team said in a statement: 'Katarina is among nine athletes to withdraw from its squad.' The list of notable absentees includes Olympic medalists Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, Matthew Hudson-Smith, and Amber Anning.