The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second time this year, Kendrick Thompson has broken the Bahamian national record in the decathlon.

Over the weekend at the Gotzis Multi in Gotzis, Austria, Thompson accumulated a total of 8,211 points for ninth place as he improved on his previous national record of 8,038 with his fourth-place finish at the 63rd annual Mt SAC relays st the Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Walnut, California.

Former national record holder Ken Mullings had to settle for a two-way tie for 15th place with 7,983 points. He was joined by Marcel Meyer of Germany with the same total.

Canada got a sweep of the first two spots with Pierce LePage taking the title with 8,700 points, followed by Damian Warner with 8,619. Sander Skotheim was third with 8.590.

Despite their performances, Thompson said he and Mullings being invited to compete in one of the biggest decathlon events in the world was a historic feat for the Bahamas.

“I was satisfied with my performance this past weekend,” said the 25-year-old Thompson, who is training in Dallas, Texas “Again, a new personal best and national record shows that my hard work is paying off.

“Competing with Ken Mullings is fun. We enjoy every moment and events over the past two days, and we gave it our best.”

Thompson have been invited to compete in Decastar Invitational in Talence, France from September 23-24th, a World Athletics Combined Events Tour gold level meeting.

Although he didn’t secure an invitation yet, Mullings, 26, admitted that he still have some more work to get back on track,

“It was an amazing experience, lovely weather and the crowd was engaged,” Mullings said. “The competition was stacked. I loved every moment of it.”

As for competing against Thompson, Mullings it was good to have the Bahamas represented by a pair of athletes.

“It’s always fun competing against him,” said Mullings, who trains out of Illinois, Chicago. “I just got to step my game up and get back on the winning streak.”

Mullings, however, was not sure exactly when he will be back in action, although there are several meets on the horizon.

Thompson started the event with second place in the men’s 100m in 10.82 for 1028 points. Mullings was eighth in 10.60 for 952 points. In the long jump, Thompson was eighth with 7.48m for 930 points, while Mullings was 17th with 7.26m for 876 points.

In the shot put, Mullings had the better showing with 14.87m for 11th and 782 points. Thompson was 26th with 13.48m for 697 points.

Mullings also soared 2.06m for fourth place and 859 points. Thompson did 2.00m, for eighth place with 803 points/. Thompson closed out the first day of competition with fourth in the 400m in 47.22 for 947 points. Mullings was 21th in 49.84 for 822.

On the final day of competition, Mullings did 14.32 for 11th ahead of Thompson, who did 14.40 for 14rh for 924b points. Thompson got ninth in the discus with a heave of 6.4.63mn for 808 points. Mullings did 43.64m for 22nd place with 683 points.

In the pole vault, Thompson was 21st with 4.50m for 760 points and Mullins cleared. In discus, Thompsson surpassed came close to a victory with 64.73m for 808 points and Mullings did 5:17.38 for 22nd place w3ith 454 points.

The duo closed out the competition in the grueling 1,500m run with both competitors struggling with Thompson clocking 4:56.44 for 19th and 712 points. Mullings trailed him in 22nd place in 5:17,38 for 464.