06 Jun 2016
Birmingham, 6 June 2016, Aspire Academy graduate, Mutaz Barshim produced a world-leading jump of 2.37m on the victory at IAAF Diamond League meeting in Birmingham, England at the weekend.
Mutaz produced his best result for over a year and with the Rio Olympic Games just round the corner it sets up an exciting contest in prospect for the event. He could have picked up at the right time as he chases his astounding performances of 2014 when he came within two centimeters of Javier Sotomayor’s long-standing world high jump record of 2.45m.
The Qatari, struggled with some niggling injuries for most of last season and has had a rather slow start to Diamond league meetings by his high standards but responded well in Birmingham where Erik Kynard of US who cleared 2.35m pushed him hard. Kynard the London 2012 Olympic Games silver medalist was however unable to clear 2.37m which Mutaz managed and thus claimed first place. Once Barshim was the confirmed winner at 2.37m he went for an attempt at what would have been an Asian record of 2.44m, but it wasn’t to be at the height. It was great to see the Qatari attack the heights with the confidence he showed two seasons ago in that outstanding 2014 season.
Mutaz has said that heights aren’t a priority in an Olympic year but in winning in Birmingham, the London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medalist has just made Olympic year that little bit more interesting in this discipline sixty days to go from the stat of the Rio Games.