Thomas: the little-known national champ

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Little-known Nicholas Thomas crowned himself men's national triple jump champion on the second day of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium.

The reason behind Thomas' mystery to the Jamaican public could be the fact that he has never lived in the island, and actually switched allegiance from Britain to represent the homeland of his parents.

"I decided to change citizenship and jump for Jamaica, as I just felt like I needed a change," Thomas explained.

"I felt like I was chasing it too much in Britain, so I decided to just have a change and I came here and I am starting to deliver the goods," he added.

Thomas took the event with a fifth-round jump of 16.12 metres, to edge out defending champion Wilbert Walker, 16.11m, with Wayne Northover, 14.49m, placing third.

Thomas' winning mark was outside of the qualifying requirement for the World Championships, for which the 'B' Standard is 16.85m and the 'A' Standard is 17.20m. He is, however, optimistic that he can achieve the required mark in the upcoming weeks.

"I am in good shape but the weather messed me up - the rain and the wind. So it set the standards down a little bit," Thomas said after the event. "But it was good competition and I enjoyed it and, hopefully, I can go further in the next couple of weeks."

In shape

He added: "If I get picked for the CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Games, I will try and do it there (achieve the qualifying mark) in better conditions, following wind and a little warmer weather. I know I am in shape to jump 16.85, my training says so."

Thomas, who trains in London with the 2010 Commonwealth triple jump winner, Tosin Oke of Nigeria, has his sights set on the 2012 Olympics.

"Training has been going very well and I know I am in shape to jump 7.0 metres, so I am not even worried, and it is all about 2012 at the end of the day as well," Thomas said.

"I just have to be consistent, as my main focus is 2012 and not just to get there, but to do something in the final as well," he added.

Thomas, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, is looking to make his mark at the senior level following his fifth-place finish at the last year's Commonwealth Games with a personal best jump of 16.85m.

"I am yet to burst on the senior level properly, but I have had a lot of injuries as well over the last four or five years," Thomas explained. "I broke both feet in the last three or four years and that is what is holding me back as well."

The 32-year-old is also faced with the additional challenge of funding.

"The most difficult thing is money, I have to fund myself because I am older now and people look at me like they don't want to invest in me. They are more looking towards the young ones."