The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@trobunemedia.net

WHILE Ryan Ingraham and Jamal Wilson went head-to-head in the Blue Marlins Track Classic at Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday, Donald Thomas was holding his own against the rest of the world at the Paris Diamond League Meet in Saint-Denis.

Thomas, who had to play second fiddle to Ingraham at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships at the TAR Stadium last weekend, picked up a second place finish again in Paris.

This time, however, Thomas improved on his 2.28 metres or 7 feet, 5 3/4-inch performance that he did with Ingraham and third place Trevor Barry, all matching the qualifying standard for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, in August.

In Paris, Thomas finished even with Daniil Tsyplakov at 2.32m (7-7 1/4), but the Russian got the better of the Grand Bahamian on fewer knockdowns. Meanwhile, here at home, Ingraham got beat by Wilson on fewer knockdowns as well as they both cleared 2.20m (7-2 1/2). See story on page 2.

I feel good about the competition, just want to thank God for affording me the opportunity to compete and represent the Bahamas.

Thomas, the only Bahamian to compete in the meet in the aftermath of the various national championships around the world, said he was pleased with his performance.

“The competition was good, a very high level, explosive field,” he told The Tribune. “The night before my competition I spoke with my little cousin Peter for a long time via telephone and it caused me to zone in. I went after the Bahamas record and fell short. I’m in good shape, just taking it day by day.”

Thomas, who was hoping to surpass Troy Kemp’s national record of 2.38m (7-8 1/2), is now sitting tied for fourth place with three other competitors with two points apiece in the Diamond League race. The IAAF Diamond League encompasses 32 individual event disciplines, with a points scoring ‘Diamond Race’ which runs throughout the 14-meet series. Winners of each Diamond Race will get a Diamond Trophy, a cash prize, a wild card for the IAAF World Championships (certain conditions apply) but, more importantly, will have shown season-long consistency to earn the unchallenged honour of being the World No 1.

Thomas, who turned 31 on July 1, admitted that the nationals really inspired him because he had some difficulties with the bar when he competed at home, but he’s not going to dwell on that.

“Competing at nationals was okay,” he said. “I never feel at home competing at nationals because of politics and the way things are handled and set up, so my main objective was just to come home, make the team and get on the next flight out. Mission accomplished.”

As he gears up for his bid to win another medal at the World Championships since he claimed the gold in 2007 in Osaka, Japan, Thomas said he’s only looking to get better.

“You can expect me to be in the mix and represent Bahamas to the fullest,” he stated. “I consider myself to be the dark horse of the event because you can never count me out. The rest of the summer I will be dream chasing.”

And the dream is to be on the podium in Beijing.