Thomas caps remarkable rise with high jump gold

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 29 (Reuters) Bahamian Donald Thomas completed his remarkable rise to the top of international athletics when he clinched the high jump title at the world championships today.

The 23-year-old equalled his personal best by clearing 2.35 metres at his first attempt and, despite failing three times at 2.37m, it proved good enough to win gold at his first global championships.

A former basketball player, Thomas made a phenomenal start to his high jump career 18 months ago when he jumped 2.20m indoors without having had any training in five years.

Russian Yaroslav Rybakov grabbed his third world championship silver after taking two attempts to clear 2.35m, while Kyriakos Ioannou matched that feat but his two failures at earlier heights meant Cyprus's first medal of the championships was a bronze.

There was more disappointment in his fifth worlds for Olympic champion Stefan Holm, who won silver in 2003 and finished seventh as the pre-tournament favourite in Helsinki two years ago.

The 31-year-old Swede sailed over on his first four heights but the world title continued to elude him as he failed three times at 2.35m.

Reuters TB GC2004