BBC SPORT | Wales | Thomas struggles on home soil

The Welshman's hopes of defending those titles have again been hampered by a hamstring problem this year and Monday night was only his third competitive run of the summer.

Thomas knows he is running out of time to qualify for the Europeans, with a trial in Birmingham this weekend, while the Commonwealths in Manchester are only a few weeks away.

"The trials have probably come a bit too early for me but I've still got three weeks to get ready for the Commonwealths," he added.

"But at the moment it is unrealistic to think I can defend my Games title, but I have always been a man for the big occasion so let's see.

"If the fact that I am the defending champion in a home games does not get me up for Manchester then nothing will.

"I need races, I also need to get back home and train properly having had a month when I could do nothing at all."

Thomas clocked 47.17 seconds - almost three seconds off his own British record - and was clearly struggling for race sharpness as Australia's Patrick Dwyer won in 46.34sec.

Christian Malcolm (left) is starting to hit form

But there was a more encouraging return from injury for Wales' Christian Malcolm, 200m silver medallist in Malaysia four years ago, who has struggled with a hamstring problem and illness since the European indoors last March.

Malcolm finished second in the 100m in 10.39sec behind America's Sydney Olympics relay gold medallist Kenny Brokkenburr.

The Newport runner then clocked 21.07sec when again second in the 200m to Dominic Demeritte of the Bahamas.

"It's coming back," said Malcolm. "The rhythm is coming now, I just need the races.

"I've got time for the Commonwealths but the (European) trials are close.

"I'll be doubling up there but just doing the 100 for fun - but it's going to be hard to qualify for the 200."

Matt Elias, who smashed his personal best last week, continued his fine form by finishing second in the mens 400 metres hurdles to Willie Smith of Namibia.

Wales team: C Malcolm, J Henthorn, K Williams, D Papura, D Turner, J Baulch, I Thomas, M Shone, J Nasrat, P Gray, J Hillier, M Elias, S Shalders, K Davies, D Leonard, A Penk, A James, L Evans, E Davies, K Sage, H Tullett, R Newcombe, R King, L Fitzgerald, S Newman, C Martin, R Goddard, C Grech, S Lane, R Cavacuiti, L Brannan, S Moore, L Douglas, C Parry, P Roles, S Peake, L Richards, R Jones, J Cranem, R Clarke, S Lawrence.


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