TOM Gale’s amazing start to the new year has continued as he equalled his lifetime best to go joint third in the World Rankings in the Czech Republic.

Just a week after breaking the stadium record at the Welsh Athletics Senior Indoor Championships with 2.28m the 21-year-old international high jumper from Trowbridge soared to 2.30m to win the competition in Trinecke.

That height not only equalled his personal best, which he cleared outdoors almost three years ago, but also ensured that Gale beat some of his top rivals in what is Olympic year with Tokyo looming on the horizon this summer.

“It has been a good start to say the least!” said Gale.

“I was optimistic going to Trinece because I knew after last week and from training that 2.30m was in me but I was not expecting that. It was a very nice surprise.”

Gale admitted that the indoor jumping floor in Trinece didn’t suit everyone but he thrived on it and even went close to clearing the Olympic qualifying height of 2.33m.

“I just brushed the bar on my second attempt and it was one of those when it sometimes stays on but not this time,” added Gale.

“I think I was bit excited and rushed it as I had over-celebrated clearing 2.30m. That’s been a long time coming for me so I was very pleased to clear that again.

“But I have always known it was there and to open the year with 2.28 and now 2.30m has been great and next time I have a go at 2.33m I will reign it in.

“And at the moment I’m not feeling that fresh as I am training very hard, 100 per cent as I am aiming to peak at the British Indoor Championships.

“But whatever happens in the rest of the indoor season it has been a great start and I am going out to compete feeling I can win.”

Gale returns to the Czech Republic again this weekend to compete in the high-profile Hustopece meeting, which again attracts a world-class field before the British Indoor Championships (FEB 22/23rd).