TOM Gale has crowned a magnificent indoor season by lifting the British Senior Championships title for the first time in his career.

The 21-year-old high jumper from Trowbridge went into the championships held at the Emirates Area, Glasgow, last weekend as a red-hot favourite after recently setting a personal best and Olympic qualifying height of 2.33m which underlined his places as the UK’s number one high jumper.

With his confidence high and suffering no problems with injuries or health that pressure sat lightly on his shoulders as he won gold with a clearance of 2.27m and then went close to a championship record of 2.32m.

But for Gale it was all about winning having claimed two bronzes last year at both the indoor and outdoor British Championships last year

“I’ve finally made it,” said a delighted Gale.

“It has taken me a few years to get there because I have had opportunities in the past but last year I was ill for the indoors and had injury problems during the summer.

“So, this year it is nice to come away as number one.”

In 2019 Gale won two bronzes at the national championships, which was the first time he had made the podium at senior level having previously notched up four titles at England level for the under 23 and under 20 age group categories.

But now Gale’s sights are set firmly on the prize of taking part in the Tokyo Olympics later this year and having already achieved the A qualifying standard set by British Athletics the signs are looking very encouraging as a sparkling indoor season comes to a close.

“I’m very satisfied with how this season has gone and I a very excited about the summer,” added Gale.

“The big goal at the start of the year was to qualify for the Olympics. Now I think the big goal will be to try and get onto the podium.

“I know to do that I will have to jump higher and be more consistent but what I have learned this indoor season is that I have improved so much mentally.”