NATHAN Douglas is ready to fight for a European Championships medal today.

The Oxford City AC athlete competes in the triple jump final from 6.55pm (BST) in Berlin.

Douglas, competing in his fourth outdoor European Championships, reached the 12-man showdown with a season's best 16.56m on Friday.

And having had an injury-free and consistent 24 months, he is ready to vie for his first international medal since 2007.

The 35-year-old said: “I am happy and now the final is a normal competition.

“I feel in good nick and I've felt like this for a little while - sometimes it is just getting it out and it takes a while to do that.”

Douglas was delighted to overcome a few difficulties in reaching the final - his fourth in as many European Championships.

Jumping in Group B, he finished eighth overall to comfortably secure his place inside the top 12.

But after a foul followed his opening effort of 16.22, Douglas needed to deliver under pressure in his final attempt, before achieving 16.56.

The six-time British outdoor champion was pleased to advance, but admitted to having a few difficulties.

Douglas said: “I got through and it is just about getting through, I don’t really care how to be honest.

“It would have been nicer earlier, but I had a bit of trouble with my runway.

“Where my runway marker was it was laying on the camera wires and I was trying to work out what to do.

“On the first jump I was miles behind the board, the second one I drove a little harder, so I was over.

“And for the last one I did the same, but really put my foot down to make sure I got it in and finally got something to get me through."