28 Jul 2021
Qatar Olympic Committee has sent fifteen athletes to represent the country in seven different sports at the Tokyo 2020 Games this summer and four of them are Aspire Academy graduates. Mutaz Barshim, Ashraf Elseify, Abubaker Hayder and Musab Ali will continue the legacy of an Aspire presence at the biggest sporting stage on the planet that begun at London 2012 Olympic Games. The Games will run from July 23 to August 8, in Tokyo, Japan.
Mutaz is Qatar’s first double Olympic medal winner following his bronze in London and silver in Rio, leads the quest for medals as well as a personal attempt at a perfect trio of medals sequence. The High Jump competitions begins on Sat 31st July with qualification before the final on the following day. Also kick starting his campaign at Tokyo Olympics on 31st July is 800m runner, Abubaker Hayder. Six Heats will be run first before semi-finals on 1st August and the 800m final taking place on Wednesday 4th August.
Ashraf Elseify will join fellow Hammer Throwers on Monday 2nd August for the qualification, and he will be hoping that like, in Rio 2016. he reaches the Hammer Throw final two days later and give himself a chance to go better than 6th position at the last Olympic Games.
Musab Ali makes his Olympic debut in the 1500m heats on Tuesday 3rd August and will be hoping to continue to the semis and final two days later Thursday the 5th of August 2021.
Aspire Academy opened its doors in 2004 and had its first graduate competing at the Olympics in London 2012 when Mutaz Barshim came back home with a bronze in his debut games. Four years later at Rio 2016 there were four Aspire Academy graduates, Abubaker Haydar (800m), Mutaz Essa Barshim, (High Jump), Ashraf Elseify (Hammer Throw) and Ahmed Bedir Magour (Javelin). This edition of 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games will also see four Aspire Academy graduates represent Qatar.