06 May 2018
Doha, 5 May 2018. Aspire Academy graduate and World champion Mutaz Barshim of Qatar set a world leading jump on his way to victory at Doha Diamond League Athletics meeting on Friday 4 May after clearing 2.40m. Barshim lived up to that stature on his home track, dominating the high jump with his second straight Doha Diamond League victory, falling just shy of claiming the meeting record.
The Aspire Academy graduate produced a clear slate through 2.30m, he needed a second try to top 2.33m before towering over 2.36m to seal the victory. First attempt success at 2.40m came next, but at that point, with eight jumps in the bag, fatigue began to creep in. None of his three tries at a would-be 2.41m meeting record were especially close, but he was nonetheless pleased with such early season success at a height which only a dozen other men have ever topped.
Syrian high jumper, Majd Eddin Ghazal finished second after clearing 2.33m and former world champion Donald Thomas of Bahamas came third after jumping 2.30m.
“I made some mistakes, but am very happy with the result and proud,” said Barshim. “I was not fit to succeed in all the jumps, but still extremely happy at the end and I am always delighted to compete and win on home soil with the support of my fellow Qataris. My mother is here; she’s was cheering for me. I’m really blessed, and being here with so many great Qatari athletes, such as Haroun and Samba, is just amazing. It’s a testament to the fact that Qatar really has some great talent.”
The Athletics' season opening meeting, Doha Diamond League, happened to be the place where Aspire Academy student athletes got a chance to showcase their talent. The Academy’s 4 X 100m relay team came first their race in a time of 45.03 seconds. In the 100m race, Aspire student athletes claimed the top four positions with all of them running personal best times. Bassem Hemeida won the race with a PB of 10.61seconds followed by fellow Aspire student athletes, Saoud Al Humaidi 10.69, Bilal Al Khater 10.84 and Jaber Al Mamari 10.89.
Results 2018 Doha Diamond League:
Current Aspire Student Athletes (Pre-Events):
- Relay Team – 1st Place (45.03)
- Hamad Khalifa Al-Abdulla
- Saleh Fahd Al-Abdullah
- Ahmad Mohamed Al-Muhanadi
- Mohamed Darm AlRaei
- 100m
- Bassem Hemaida 10.61 (1st)
- Saould Al-Humaidi 10.69 (2nd)
- Abdulrahman Al-Khater 10.84 (3rd)
- Jaber Al-Mamari 10.88 (4th)
- Mohamed Darm Al Raei 11.44 (6th)
- Ahmad Al Muhanadi 11.63 (7th)
Aspire Graduates
- Javelin Throw – 7th Place (83.71)
- Ahmed Bader Magour
- 1500m – 13th Place (3:41.90)
- Adam Ali Mousab
- 3000m SC – 14th Place (9:04.64)
- Muhanad Khamis Saifeldin
- High Jump – 1st Place (2.40)
- Mutaz Essa Barshim
- Triple Jump – 11th Place (15.35)
- Suleiman Mohamed Ahmed Faisal