14 Aug 2017
London, 13 August 2017. Aspire Academy graduate and Qatar superstar high jumper, Mutaz Essa Barshim is the new world champion after clearing 2.35m to secure gold in the IAAF World Championships in London. On the final day of competition, the Qatari who boasts the second highest jump in the world after Cuba’s world record holder, Javier Sotomayor, beat Danil Lysenko (2.32m) into second place with Syrian, Majed Aldin Ghazal (2.29m) taking bronze.
Mutaz came into the championships unbeaten this season in six meetings and he sailed through the qualifications without a fail. With the gold secured after jumping 2.35m, he went agonizingly close to jumping 2.40m.
Returning to the stadium where he won his first Olympic medal (bronze) during the 2012 London Olympics, Mutaz lived up to his billing as one of the favourites for gold. Barshim admirably held up his end of the bargain with one of the most dominating high jump performances in recent memory to finally claim an elusive global outdoor title.
Barshim said after his victory, “London is a special place for me. It's where I had my first Olympic medal and the crowd was amazing. I really wanted it. I love the pressure. That's when I perform the best. I expect from myself much more than everybody. It's motivation. I was so determined to win it. I was expecting it tonight so I am glad I managed to fulfill my target tonight. "
Qatar received the IAAF flag yesterday as the London Championships concluded as it will be Doha’s turn to host the Championship in Khalifa International Stadium in 2019 and Mutaz will be aiming to defend his title on home soil.