YORK'S judo warrior Rob Thomas is at a competitive crossroads.

The man, who is just over a week away from his 40th birthday, has been left in a quandary after his latest assault on the World Masters championships in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

Just like last season when Thomas realised his ambition of taking on the world's best veterans in Japan - the spiritual haven of martial arts - he finished sixth in his weight category of more than 100 kilogrammes bowing out to the eventual winner from Russia.

That meant that at the pinnacle of the last three World Masters' meetings the York judo juggernaut has gained fifth, sixth and sixth places.

In Austria he also mustered a fourth spot in the Open category, where he was beaten by a Brazilian.

But as he made the trek home to York, Thomas reflected that if he was to continue on the Masters circuit, which has given him a competitive lifeline since the year 2001, then he would have to garner more international experience.

Said Thomas: "I was annoyed with myself that I did not get on to the medal podium this time around, though the Russian who beat me - he won both my weight division and also the Open category - was an ox.

"It made me realise that if I am to succeed I would have to fight abroad more. I need to be coming up against fighters from other counties."

Thomas insisted he would love to be able to carry on in the Masters circuit, and indeed, he has already resumed training despite his desolation at not coming back clutching a medal from Austria.

But added Thomas: "I am going to have to talk things over with my family and see what happens. I will make up my mind over the next couple of weeks."

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, July 08, 2004