04 Nov 2017
Prague, 2 November 2017. Great honor for Aspire Academy graduate Mutaz Essa Barshim: the current high jump world champion was named the 2017 Best Male Athlete from Asia by the National Olympic Committee (ANOC) on Thursday. The awards ceremony was held in the Czech capital of Prague on the sidelines of the General Assembly of the National Olympic Committees and awards were given to the best athletes in all continents along with awards for the best national Olympic committees.
With his victory, Barshim adds another great achievement to his record of championships and medals. The Qatari was unbeaten last season, sweeping all Diamond League competitions before being crowned world champion in London where he won the global high jump title with a leap of 2.35 metres. The 26-year-old, whose 2.43m best is the second-highest in history after Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s 2.45 set almost a quarter of a century ago, has won silver and bronze at the last two Olympics and silver in the 2013 World Championships.
"I am very proud of the work I have done and I thank all those who supported me. Individual athlete needs a lot of support. I thank the State, my family, my coach and everyone who help me to win, it is for Qatar and not for me alone," Barshim said.