Chris Tomlinson admits he performed well below his usual standard during the men’s long jump competition at the weekend’s British Indoor Grand Prix meeting, writes Ziad Chaudry.

The 32-year-old Hampstead resident was suffering with the flu and posted a disappointing 7.63m – a long way off his British record of 8.18m which he achieved six years ago in Stuttgart – and that left him in eighth place.

Russian Aleksandr Menkov edged out China’s Jinzhe Li by 2m to win with 8.14m while London Olympic champion Greg Rutherford took third spot with 8.00m.

“It was a bit disappointing,” said Tomlinson. “The doctors advised me not to compete but I needed to compete. I gave it a real go but it was difficult to get to the take-off board. I felt dazed so I had nothing really to give.

“To be honest I’m not really an ill person so it was the first time I’ve jumped with it [the flu]. I just thought ‘let’s see what it’s like’ but obviously I now know!”

Tomlinson began his indoor season with a 7.75m effort in Glasgow before recording a 2014 best of 7.81m two weeks ago in Moscow, Russia.

He said: “To be honest it hasn’t been a great indoor season for me, it’s been pretty disappointing – [there have been] a few technical changes and things.”