The Olympics in 2008, however, turned out to be a major disappointment for Thomas. That year, he also won the IAAF Newcomer of the Year and the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association Athlete of the Year. He also won gold at the 2007 IAAF World Athletics Final. He then won the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, again with a 2.35 jump. The result was a new personal best and the world season's best at the time. In July 2007 he cleared 2.35 metres in Salamanca, Spain. ĭuring the 2007 indoor season, he cleared 2.30 metres for the first time and in March jumped 2.33 metres in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Not yet experienced at high jump, Thomas gained notoriety at the Commonwealth Games for not measuring his run-up, competing in shoes without spikes, and putting his arms behind his back to land on the mat as if breaking his fall. Later that month, just two months after taking up high jump, he finished fourth at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne with a jump of 2.23 m. In March 2006, Thomas placed second at the 2006 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships with a height of 7'1.75' (2.18 m). At the meet, he cleared 7'3.25' (2.22 m) on his seventh-ever jump. The athletes then sought the head track coach Lane Lohr, who entered Thomas in a meet two days later at Eastern Illinois University. Thomas cleared 6'6' (1.98 m) on his first attempt and 7' (2.13 m) on his third-ever jump. He tried high jump for the first time when challenged by members of the track and field team, who were reacting to his claims about his ability to slam dunk. Thomas initially played basketball at Bishop Michael Eldon School in Freeport, Bahamas, before taking up high jump in January 2006 while studying at Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri, where he played on the University's basketball team. From my travels throughout Kenya I can honestly say that Lewa Safari Camp bartenders make the best in the country.Donald Thomas (born 1 July 1984) is a Bahamian high jumper from Freeport, Bahamas. I highly recommend ordering a dawa, the Kenyan cocktail of vodka, lime, local honey and crushed ice with a sugar rim. Returning from our evening safari drives, we’re all excited to trade stories, and maybe get a little jealous over who spotted the leopard. There is a feeling of camaraderie among the guests as the lodge opens up for cocktails and appetizers before dinner. Making little squeaky noises for attention and petting, we were able to share a few minutes with the rhino before leaving it to the care of Lewa Conservancy’s dedicated team. He drove us to visit this little tyke who is being nurtured by handlers ‘round the clock.

Pictured above is an orphaned baby rhino with my expert guide, Festus, in the background. It is not uncommon to see rangers patrolling the area to protect the wildlife from poachers. When you visit Lewa, you know you are supporting an innovative model for conservation that houses the headquarters of Northern Rangelands Trust, a well-protected rhino population, and the extremely rare Grevys zebra.

Did I mention it translates to ‘medicine’ in Kiswahili?Ĭheli & Peacock’s Lewa Safari Camp is a beautiful, friendly spot located in the Lewa Conservancy, a community based conservation initiative. From my travels throughout Kenya I can honestly say that Lewa Safari Camp bartenders make the best in the country. Cheli & Peacock’s Lewa Safari Camp is a beautiful, friendly spot located in the Lewa Conservancy, a community based conservation initiative.

Tyke peacock