Max Thomas Evaluates Rookie Season and Pro Circuit Adjustments Post Diamond League Debut | 2026 Brussels Diamond League Post-Race Interview
Max Thomas shares key takeaways following a third-place finish in his Diamond League debut in the Men's 100m Invitational in Brussels. Reflecting on a long rookie season that included managing injuries and welcoming his daughter, Thomas attributes technical shortcomings in his top-end execution to a lack of power from traveling without his coach or consistent weight training. Despite areas to review on film, the fast-learning sprinter maintains a short memory and expresses high confidence for next year.
Video Transcript
It is your first Diamond League.
Just take me through the race.
How are you feeling?
Feel okay.
You know, solid to come away with third place.
I know, like, this isn't my best racing.
But, you know, like, you gotta take the good with the bad.
And I can't, like, you know, like, dwell on it too much.
Gotta have a short memory.
Mm-hmm.
Like, I feel good today, but, you know, I think it's been a long year.
Not too much power in my legs left, so yeah.
You talked about not much power in your legs, could have been any better.
What do you think was, like, maybe, that you, you could fix that?
I think, like, my start is never really my strong suit.
But today, like, I feel like I got out just fine, for my top end to be able to do what it needs to do.
But I think that's kind of where, you know, the not lifting comes into play.
You know, like, I've been out in Europe for two, three weeks now.
You know, it, it's, it's my first time, you know, like, being, being gone for that long.
You know, like, no consistent weights, coach not here, you know, stuff like that.
So yeah, like, I think in the second half of my race, just kind of, like, getting my feet down, you know, like, punching into the track and, you know, like, keeping my hips up and staying open, I feel like I wasn't really doing that well.
But it comes with it, you know.
Like I said, I have a lot to learn as a sprinter.
Like, I'm, I'm still, you know, like, feeling out my body.
I'm still learning and growing in the sport, so you know, like, I can't be too upset, but also, you know, like, I'm not gonna be thrilled about it, you know?
Yeah.
So you have a key year, as we get closer to the end of the year.
What was your major takeaway, maybe from this race, that you're, you're ready to apply to the world championship here this year?
Major takeaway from this race?
You know, like, if I come out to Europe, you know, like, I gotta be on point.
I would say that.
I definitely think the next time I'm out here, I'm gonna be ready.
I think next year, I'm gonna be very ready.
Like, I've had a full pro year, like, under my belt to see how things work and to see how this pro stuff goes.
And I'm somebody, like, I learn, you know, very quickly, so you know, I'm not too worried about next year.
Like, especially with the way that I came out this year and, you know, like, I've dealt with some injuries and, you know, my daughter was born this year, so like, I really have, like, a lot of life to deal with this year.
So I think I'm gonna be very prepared for next year.
And for this race specifically, I know you said your start wasn't really the problem.
Was your top end, a concern, too?
Yeah, you know, it's kind of, like, the, the power thing.
I tried to, like, do what I do.
I got to go back and look at the film to see, you know, why the top end wasn't there.
But, you know, just off the top of my head, I just feel like I didn't have no power, like, in my legs, you know, pushing down to the track.
Could have, like, also been choppy, you know, kind of running in place.
Probably, like, you know, I rushed out of my drive phase a bit, but like, I'm gonna have to go back and look at the film and, see what I can fix from that.
What did he say to you before your race?
He, he asked me how I slept, 'cause I haven't been sleeping good since we've been out here.
And he asked me, like, if I ate.
He said those were his main two concerns.
And yeah, I've been, I've been sleeping good the past few days.
And I've been eating really good, you know, since I've been in Brussels, so yeah, like, I was feeling good today, for sure.
All right.
Good race.
We're going to catch up after.
Thank you.
