Defending champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson remains in heptathlon medal contention with just two events remaining in Tokyo – but rival Nafi Thiam withdrew on Saturday.

Johnson-Thompson, bidding for a third world title, will begin the final session of the competition in third place, 167 points behind American leader Anna Hall and 59 behind Taliyah Brooks.

The 32-year-old recorded a long jump best of 6.42m on Saturday, after marginally fouling on a much bigger leap with her third and final attempt, to reach 4,874 points before the javelin (11:00 BST) and 800m events (13:11).

Ireland’s Kate O’Connor dropped to fourth, 50 points outside the podium places, while GB’s Jade O’Dowda is sixth.

Belgium’s Olympic champion Thiam ended the penultimate session in eighth place – however her coach later confirmed that she would not continue.

“I withdrew her from the competition,” said Michael van der Plaetsen, according to Belgium’s national press agency, external.

Thiam, who has split the past four world golds with Johnson-Thompson, had a disrupted build-up to the championships amid a disagreement with Belgian Athletics.

The 31-year-old’s federation have rejected her claims that she was blocked from joining the team camp before the championships for refusing to sign its code of conduct, relating to a sponsor conflict.

Prior to her withdrawal, Thiam told Belgian newspaper DH Sports +, external: “It was difficult from the beginning. I tried to fight, to go through these difficulties, but clearly it does not follow. I have trouble explaining it myself.

“Clearly my body is not happy. I don’t want to do anything stupid, because I think that now, finishing would be for the principle.”