By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE where he finished in the men’s high jump at the World Athletics’ Wanda Diamond League Final on Thursday, Grand Bahamian Donald Thomas said he was still pleased with the way his season ended.

At the completion of the 14 series of invitational events around the world this year, the 37-year-old left Weltklasse, Zurich with sixth place with a leap of 7-feet, 4 1/4-inches or 2.24 metres.

Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi, who shared the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games’ gold medal with Mutam Essa Barshim from Qatar, won the Diamonds League title with 7-8 (2.34m).

Andry Protsenko of the Ukraine was second with a season’s best of 7-6 1/2 (2.30m) and Ilya Ivanyuk, an Authorised Neutral Athlete, was third with the same height, but more knockdowns on the countback.

“I started the season ranked 70 in the world and now down to 13 in the world,” he said. . “Not exactly where I want to be but a step in the right direction after missing competition last year due to injury.”

Thomas, the 2007 world champion who has won a medal at just about every international meet except the Olympic Games, came into the Diamond League Final with a season’s best of 7-5 ¾ (2.28m) and a lifetime achievement of 7-9 ¼ (2.37m). Thomas didn’t advance to the finals in Tokyo.

“I had to compete more than I wanted this year to get back to this point. I could feel the fatigue from traveling a little more this year and sometimes it showed in my competition,” Thomas said. “However I’m on the right path and thankful for opportunities.”

As he was enroute to returning to the United States to recuperate from what he termed a “long season,” Thomas said he was pleased with his comeback this year.

“Had to fight my way back from injury this year to get back in the mix with the best of the best,” he said. “Six athletes made the high jump Diamond league final and I was one of the six so it shows that I’m competing and competing well at the highest level.”

With the focus on the World Athletics’ World Championships in Eugene, Oregon from October 6-15, Thomas said he will be working on regaining his prominence on the world stage.

“The goal is always to win or be amongst the top 3 in the medal count but coming from the bottom with an injury prior to this year I appreciate the small victories,” he lamented.

“I’m going to take it one day at a time. All praises to God for putting me in this position. Next year will be a great year.”