CHRIS Tomlinson took his season to new heights at the European Championships last night – but the Middlesbrough long jumper insists his best is yet to come in Barcelona.

The 28-year-old has been battling the doubters for the best part of a decade after failing to back up his 2002 British record with a major international title.

Tomlinson got off to a slow start in the Catalan capital after leaping just 7.98m with his opening round but he stormed through the field with a season’s best leap of 8.20m to seal a place in tomorrow’s final.

And after booking his place in the medal showdown, the 2008 world indoor silver medallist has vowed to show he can walk the walk as well as talk the talk in Spain.

“It was a good jump – a season’s best – and like I keep saying I was ranked 14th coming into the competition and I am already in the top 12,” said Tomlinson.

“I have been shouting my mouth off, saying I can do eight-and-a-half metres and we shall see about that in the final on Sunday.

“The most important thing is I am going to go out and enjoy it and if it happens and I medal it happens – if it doesn’t then it doesn’t.

“I was kicking myself when I jumped 7.98m because a jump like that really isn’t good enough and I wasn’t even on the board – but I knew something bigger was in there and it came out.”

The Middlesbrough long jumper’s leap of 8.20m was the third longest from the 32- strong field with Spain’s Eusebio Caceres and Germany’s Christian Reif leading the way with 8.27m.

And Tomlinson – who is yet to claim a senior outdoor major championship medal despite ten attempts – admits he will leave nothing to chance in Barcelona.

“My jump wasn’t as exciting as the 200m final which went on around me, but I’m still pretty pleased,” he added. “Initially I thought 7.98m would be good enough but then everyone kept jumping further.

“I was thinking I’m going to have to jump more now and I put a little but more into it and it worked.

“Now I’ve got nothing to lose going into the final. ”

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