Donald Thomas jumps to gold

Mon, Jun 27th 2011, 09:40 AM

Donald Thomas is back.
For those who might have been wondering if the Eight Mile Rock Golden Boy still has what it takes, Donald put an end to all the questions and doubts with a gold medal performance on Saturday night at the BTC Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Jr. and Sr. National Track and Field Championships.
Thomas cleared 2.32 meters (m) - 7' 7-1/4" - to beat Trevor Barry, win a gold medal and silence all of the nay-sayers, in the Open Men's High Jump competition.
"It feels good to be competing in front of my people and to have them 100 percent behind me... that's a good feeling," said Thomas. "I always respond good to pressure and because I know that Trevor was gonna go out there and jump his best, I knew I had to go and give it all I had."
The competition did not become a battle until both jumpers found themselves stuck at 2.29m (7' 6").  Barry, who was on his last attempt, cleared the bar with a little space to spare. It was that clearance that made Thomas respond. He too finally cleared the bar on his last attempt and made it a high jump battle.
The bar was raised to 7' 7-1/4" and Barry missed his first two attempts. Thomas missed his first attempt, but cleared it on his second attempt, putting the pressure back on Barry to make the jump. On his final attempt, Barry was unable to clear the bar, giving Thomas the win. Thomas requested the bar be raised to 2.36m (7' 8-3/4"). Twice, Thomas came close, but was unable to clear the bar at that height.
"I expected him to jump high and I expected a good challenge, so I was prepared for the battle," said Thomas, the 2007 World Champion in the event. "It was a good competition."
Thomas said his focus now will be on the World Championships and he plans to go there and perform at his best.
"I'm preparing for a win and that's what I'm preparing my mind and my body for," said Thomas. "I want to be mentally and physically prepared for that meet. The game plan right now is just to try and stay healthy and just keep maintaining and progressing."
This year's International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) World Outdoor Championships will be held in Daegu, South Korea, from August 27 - September 4.
In the Open Men's Long Jump at the BTC Nationals, Grand Bahamian Raymond Higgs Jr. gave local fans a treat by winning the gold medal with a jump of 7.80m (25' 7-1/4"). Higgs said he feels that he could do much more, but is happy for the opportunity to return home to jump in front of the home crowd.
"I always want to give my best and so that's what I wanted to do when I began jumping tonight," said young Higgs.
Higgs has also been performing well on the college circuit, making impressive jumps and progress. Higgs, who is also a solid high jumper, has been focusing more this season on the Long Jump. He won gold medals in both the Long and Triple Jumps at the CARIFTA level, and now he goes home with another gold medal in the Long Jump, this time at the BAAA Nationals.

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