Tomlinson looking for Osaka boost

Tomlinson holds the British long jump record of 8.27 metres

British long jumper Chris Tomlinson has said he is looking forward to August's World Championships in Osaka after putting his injury problems behind him.

Middlesbrough-born Tomlinson, 25, told BBC Radio Cleveland: "The position I'm in now is what I was hoping to be in straight after the Olympics in 2004.

"That is two years of my life wasted, so I'm trying to build on it from here.

"At this stage of the season, I'd like to get distances around my 8.27 British record, then see how it goes at Osaka."

Interview: British long jumper Chris Tomlinson

Tomlinson has been dogged by injuries since he came fifth at Athens in 2004, where he was hailed as one of the country's most exciting young talents.

"Everyone wanted a piece of the action after that," admitted Tomlinson. "People saw that I was 22 and had just come fifth in the Olympics, and they all wanted to support me."

"It was a case of too many cooks spoil the broth. I've now gone back to what I was doing three or four years ago, and that is what was allowing me to jump big distances.

"But to win the big championships, I realise I have to improve my best from 8.27 metres to around the 8.50m mark. Those are the distances needed to win the big competitions."