The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DONALD Thomas is flying high again.

The 30-year-old who has won a gold medal at all of the major international competitions except the Olympic Games turned in a season’s best of 2.33 metres or 7-feet, 7 3/4-inches to win the men’s high jump at the International Athletic Meet in Guadeloupe over the weekend.

The Grand Bahamian native beat out the field that included Bahamian Ryan Ingraham, who was third with 2.25m (7-4 1/2), the same height as second place finisher Mickael Hanany. In the process, Thomas soared over the qualifying standard of 2.28m (7-5 3/4) for the IAAF World Championships, scheduled for August 22-30 in Beijing, China.

For Thomas, who was back in Auburn during the interview with The Tribune, said he managed to get into Guadeloupe a few days in advance so that he could be well rested going into the competition.

“The competition went good,” said Thomas, who improved on his season opener the weekend before at the Drake Relays where he got 11th with 2.16m (7-1) behind Bahamian Trevor Barry, who was fourth with 2.25m (7-4 1/2). “I regrouped, went to Guadeloupe and executed the game plan.

“I just wanted to put a mark out there to get the ball rolling. I just look forward to progressing and staying healthy. Right now, I’m still in heavy training because everything is geared towards Beijing. So right now I’m not in peak shape yet, so hopefully I can continue climbing.”

During the competition, Thomas said once he gets his timing on, the sky is the limit. Although he already qualified indoors for the trek to Beijing, Thomas said it’s an even better feeling to do it outdoors and do it early in the season because it bodes well for his appearance in future meets this year.

As for competing for the second time against a Bahamian, Thomas said they got a chance to communicate and during the competition, they were able to motivate each other.

“I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t qualify for the Worlds too. He had some good jumps,” Thomas said. “So did Trevor Barry when I competed against him at Drake. I think this will only help us when we all come home and compete in the Nationals in June.”

Thomas, winner of the gold at the 2007 Worlds in Osaka, the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and the Pan American Games in 2011 in Guadalajara, said he’s expected to compete again later this month, either in Shanghai, China on May 17 or at the Prefrontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on May 30.

Thomas and Ingraham were joined by three other Bahamians at the meet in Guadeloupe.

Bianca Stuart had the next best performance as she placed second in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.64m (21-9 1/2) to trail American Brittney Reese, who won with 6.72m (22-0 3/4). Only Reese, however, attained the qualifying standard for the Worlds of 6.70m (21-11 3/4).

Jeffery Gibson, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, took third place in the men’s 400m hurdles in a time of 50.18 seconds, just off the Worlds qualifying time of 49.50. The United States got a sweep with Bershawn Jackson capturing the title in 49.11 and Johnny Dutch was second in 49.36.

And Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands, who is still rounding into shape after coming off surgery to repair his left knee which he injured during the final of the London Olympics, was fourth in the men’s long jump with 7.70m (25-3 1/4). Winning the title was Damar Forbes of Jamaica with 8.17m (26-9 3/4), followed by Americans Will Claye (8.11m/26-7 1/4) and Tyron Stewart (7.96m/26-1 1/2).

The qualifying mark for Beijing in the event is 8.10m (26-7), but Sands is concentrating on his specialty in the triple jump where he will need to clear at least 55-5 1/2 in order to be eligible to make the trip.