Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim has done it again! The Olympic high jump silver medallist has rewritten sporting history for Qatar again twice in a row, within a span of exactly one week. He began by first winning the well-deserved crown of World Champion. The accomplishment came in the wake of his flawless effort in clearing the 2.35m mark, at the men’s high jump event at the Final of the IAAF World Championships in London on August 13. This amazing achievement was closely followed by another gold and another record at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Birmingham on August 20. This time he set a new stadium meet record for Birmingham as he jumped over 2.40m and in the process has also become the first man to clear 2.40m leap on British soil since 2000!
That’s not all. There’s more excitement lined up for Barshim’s fans this month, as the Qatari Falcon prepares himself to soar for more gold at the finals of the Diamond League in Zurich on August 24 and the International Hochspring meeting in Eberstadt, Germany on August 27.
For Barshim, this season has been marked by hectic travel, practice schedules, qualification rounds, championships and victory celebrations, all held in different countries. Many of the championships have literally been spaced just days apart. What’s to be highly appreciated is that in between all this activity the young athlete paused for a while, to chat with Community for an exclusive interview. Soft-spoken, friendly and down-to-earth Barshim clearly demonstrates that despite clinching titles and setting records, he remains firmly grounded and approachable. Victory certainly hasn’t gone to his head. As his fans point out, “Barshim is a true champ!”
Barshim was the clear favourite at the London IAAF Championship. He was not just undefeated in the season; at that point he held seven of the eight best clearances in the world. Referring to the triumph and the preparation in the run up to the event, Barshim simply says, “I feel very happy to have won the title of the World Champion. This is a title I did not have and one I really wanted. To be honest I didn’t really fear strong competition at the event. This is not to downplay the ability or achievements of other participants. I respect all my opponents, but at the same time I make it a point to focus on myself.”
As for the record setting scenario that unfolded at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Birmingham, it was like watching a thriller movie. According to the IAAF report, Barshim was well into the lead up to and including 2.28m with first-time clearance at each height, until he brought the bar down at 2.31m. The page-turner was a successful jump from Majd Eddin Ghazal, world bronze medallist, who crossed the mark on the first attempt and Barshim missed it the second time. Barshim’s third attempt was successful and it changed the scene completely as this meant Barshim was still in the competition. From there on the pursuit for victory escalated. The crossing at 2.33 and 2.35 went well for Qatar’s champ; at this point Ghazal retired from the competition. However, Barshim was not done yet. The bar was set to 2.39m and even as all eyes strained to watch his performance he failed – twice. Like a true champion, Barshim now requested the bar be raised to 2.4m. As the crowd watched with baited breath he made his final attempt for the day, clearing the bar to break his own meeting record! According to Barshim, the challenge tested him and brought out his best.
This definitely has been a “gold season” for Barshim who has been on a winning streak. He took off on a winning note by winning the GCC championship. He continued to experience a great term since, topping every Diamond League event he has participated in this year commencing with a great victory on home turf, in May. This year, the Qatari phenomenon has also won the Shanghai Diamond League, the Oslo Bislett Games and the Paris Meeting.
The Oslo’s Bislett Games brought in extra glory, as he beat one world meeting record of 2.37m set by Javier Sotomayer, the greatest high jumper the world has ever seen. Sotomayer’s personal best of 2.45m set 24 years ago remains unbeaten. Barshim has proved to be the second highest jumper in history having cleared 2.43m in 2014, just 2cm shy of Sotomayer’s unbeaten mark.
Beating Sotomayer’s record continues to be Barshim’s dream. It seems to be just a matter of time before Barshim flies to the much-coveted top spot. “I feel confident that I’m on the right track in meeting my goal. I just need time and I certainly need to stay healthy,” he explains.
Staying healthy and injury free has become a priority for Barshim, following a stress fracture to his back that nearly prevented him from competing in London 2012 Olympics. He had recovered just in time to be able to compete and prove his mettle, winning the bronze medal. “Despite competing in several major championships, the 2012 London Olympics has been my toughest even, because I had a stress fracture in my back,” he says.
“This has been very busy season and a good year overall. Besides the victories, titles and records, I’m happy and so glad there’s been no major injury so far. I’ve had some small issues, but they are under control. I am careful and just try to work things out in a smart way. Thanks to my coach,” he adds.
Having begun his jumping career as a rather average performer, Barshim learnt early the results of hard work and patience. Today, he proves to the world time and again that you don’t always have to be a child prodigy to achieve success. His track record has proved that hard work beats talent.
All this glory call for even more hard work. “We’ve been putting in so much work, and that makes me confident. I have the hope of my whole country on my back, and I just can’t let them down. I want to take this opportunity to thank all my fans, supporters, family and friends and of course my country for the support and encouragement I receive. I hope to continue making them proud,” he says.
Barshim’s triumph at the recent IAAF Championships is sweet victory for Qatar in more ways than one. At the IAAF World Championships in London, it was officially announced that Doha will play host to the IAAF World Championships in 2019. The Khalifa International Stadium will serve as the venue, as Doha brings the world’s third biggest sporting event to the Middle East for the first time.
THE CHAMP: Mutaz Barshim, the World Champion, with his Gold Medal at the IAAF World Championships in London. RIGHT: ALL SET: Barshim during Men’s High Jump qualification during day eight of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017.
