05 May 2017
Doha, 5 May 2017. Aspire graduate and Qatar Athletics Federation star jumper, Mutaz Essa Barshim added yet another accolade to his illustrious career with his first IAAF Diamond League home soil win, at Qatar Sports Club on Friday 5th May.
Mutaz jumped 2.36m beating Robbie Grabarz of Great British who jumped 2.31m into second place, with Donald Thomas of Bahamas in third after clearing 2.29m. The event also saw current Aspire student athlete, Nuh Andu compete in his first Diamond League meeting and he jumped 2.15m in a credible performance in front of a supportive crowd.
“I had two set goals for this meeting and that was to jump a world leading height and to win on home soil. I have done both and couldn’t be happier. I am pacing myself and jumping with the World Championships in London this August in mind. All in all it has been a good outing and the crowd was fantastic and l am pleased l delivered to them a home win which l think was long overdue,” said Mutaz after his victory at Doha Diamond League. Mutaz also commented on young Nuh Andu’s debut saying, “Nuh acquitted himself very well, it’s never easy the first time you compete at this level and l thought he handle it all very well. The occasion make one nervous and more so if it’s before your home crowd, so all in all Nuh performed well and he will surely learn from this and jump even high in future competitions. I was talking to him during competition urging him to give of his best and helping him relax,” said Mutaz
Meanwhile in the Men’s Javelin, Aspire Graduate Ahmed Bader Magour threw a season best 83.18m to finish 5th in a competition that was won Thomas Rohler of Germany with a world leading distance of 93.90m.