20 Feb 2016
Doha, 20 February 2016. The first day of the 7th 'Asian Indoor Athletics Championships' could not have ended better for Aspire Academy graduates Mutaz Essa Barshim and Abubaker Haydar.
Qatar’s number 1 high jumper and World Champion Mutaz Essa Barshim won a fourth consecutive Asian indoor gold medal with a 2.35m clearance at the Aspire Dome. “I’m so happy I could win a medal in front of home fans. This being an Olympic year, I’ll take part in only fewer competitions this season. I want to win an Olympic medal once again,” he said after his triumph and with an eye already on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Endurance runner Abubaker Haydar also impressed on Friday evening by winning the first round of the 800m event. He will compete in the 800m final on Sunday at 5:15pm.
Find out more about the 7th 'Asian Indoor Athletics Championships' on http://athleticsasia.org.