21 Aug 2017
Birmingham, 21st August 2017. Aspire Academy graduate and recently crowned High Jump World Champion, Mutaz Essa Barshim continues his hot streak when he set a new meeting record and the world lead with a jump of 2.40m to win the Diamond League in Birmingham on Sunday 20 August 2017.
Fresh from winning the world title with a jump of 2.38m last week in London the Qatari superstar athlete has now a commanding lead with a total of 40 points from six Diamond League meetings and remains unbeaten this season.
Having jumped that landmark height each season since 2013, Barshim now becomes the first man in history to clear 2.40m or higher for five consecutive years. His winning jump was also the first 2.40m leap on British soil since 2000.
“I knew I had that jump in me but I needed that pressure on my shoulders,” said Barshim. “It was a strong competition which really tested me and that made me perform at my best. I love it here; I had the meeting record here from 2014 and I also won in Birmingham last year so it is a lucky place for me.
“I can jump as high as possible,” he added. “I don't want to put any limits on myself. 2.40m was great today and I didn't want to push it too much a risk injury so I was just sensible.”
After celebrating his winning jump, he walked back up to the uprights, picked up the crossbar and walked back to the bench. “Seriously, I’m taking this home with me,” he told the in-stadium interviewer.
The Aspire Academy graduate revealed that since winning gold last week in London at the 16th IAAF World Championships he hadn’t jumped or jogged, let alone trained which makes his victorious leap of 2.40m at the Muller Grand Prix,a leg of the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Birmingham on Sunday all the more profound and impressive.