Sports Reporter/Doha
Barshim: promising talent
A top three place at a Diamond League event is not quite as hard as winning a medal at global Championships nevertheless with the Diamond hunters eagerly chasing the 4.8kg dazzling jewellery awarded to the athlete with the most accumulated points after the completion of a 14 meetings circuit, a “medal” place at a Diamond League requires talent, stamina, timing and luck.
Since 1997 Qatari athletes have the privilege to annually compete on home turf at a major one-day international athletics meeting but that home advantage doesn’t make their life easier on track as organisers always bring the crème de la crème of track and field at Qatar Sports Club ground.
Thanks to a double “medal” run by “rookies” Mutaz Barshim and Femi Ogunode in 2011 Qatar reached double-digit top in three placings at the former Grand Prix and later – since 2010 - Diamond League athletics meeting in its 14 years of history.
Qatar’s record now stands at ten “medals” and that feat may be surpassed this year, with Mutaz Barshim, the so far 2012 world’s best high jumper – courtesy of his huge 2.37 jump at the Asian Indoor Championships in February – mainly carrying local spectators’ hopes.
Mutaz, the reigning World Junior Champion is the unofficial skipper of a promising young crew which will attract athletics fans interest at the Doha Diamond League on Friday 12.
23-year-old Musaeb Abdulrahman Balla who has booked a place in 2012 Olympic Games’ qualifying round in 800m, ran 1:45.92 to win the Arab Games in December.
On Friday he will have the chance, in his third Doha Diamond League appearance, to further improve his personal best by running next to athletes with world class caliber like David Rudisha, Mohammed Aman and Alfred Kirwa Yego.
The much talented 2010 Youth Olympics 1,000m silver medallist Hamza Driouch has already met the qualifying standard A for the Olympic Games and by competing against mighty Asbel Kiprop, Abubaker Khamis Kaki, Silas Kiplagat and Daniel Kipchirchir Komen in the 1,500m he will gain more experience for his future adventures. 17-year-old Driouch, who have competed twice before at Doha’s Diamond League, ran 3:34.43 last season to snatch silver at the Arab Games.
James Kwalia C’Kurui’s name is included in the 3,000m line up an event which the likes of Kenenisa Bekele, Augustine Kiprono Choge, Imane Merga and Moses Diema Kipsiro are also featured.
The Qatari, a 2009 World Championships bronze medallist in 5,000m, has yet to finish inside the top three in his previous five attempts in Doha.