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Qatar’s blue-eyed boy Mutaz Essa Barshim provided the hosts with a gold, which was also their lone medal on the opening day of the 18th Arab Athletics Championships, that began at the Qatar Sports Club here yesterday. Barshim won the men’s high jump with a leap of 2.30m. |
The London Olympic bronze medallist had returned to Doha on the eve of the contest after claiming the title in the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai with a meet record of 2.33 on countback from Doha winner Bohdan Bondarenko of Ukraine.
Though Barshim showed no signs of fatigue, he did not try to get anywhere close to the mark he set in Shanghai. His effort of 2.30, after clearing 2.18 and 2.24 in his earlier efforts, was enough to seal the gold. The silver went to Mohamed Younis of Sudan, whose best was 2.24. The bronze went to Nawaf al-Yami of Saudi Arabia who jumped 2.18.
“I was under no pressure to do this event but I’m happy to clinch the gold with the least of effort. There was hardly anytime between the events and so I was a bit tired. However, I’m happy with this result,” said a thrilled Barshim after the medals ceremony.
He went on reveal that the success in Shanghai was a big boost. “In Shanghai, everything went as per plan and it was good to bag the meeting’s record. I managed to take revenge for my second place finish here in Doha and I felt good about that.”
The 22-year-old will now head to US in four days to take part in the Diamond League meeting in Eugene.
“I have very little time to rest, with Eugene next in line. Hopefully, I can continue my good work. The field here was not very strong so I didn’t need to press hard but things will once again be tough there. Let's see how it goes,” he added.
Barshim has been dodging a recurring back injury all through last year and the youngster was hoping he could keep his body together till the Moscow World Championships later this year.
“I’m not having any problem as of now but my aim is to stay healthy from now on. It is important that I move forward slowly. I’m shaping up well and don’t want to push too much ahead of the World Championships,” he said.
In the women’s 10km walk, Alfa Allafi of Tunisia won gold virtually unchallenged in 50:34.00. Algeria’s Gazlani Bareza with 57:41.00 and compatriot Lahna Khasrany with 1:01.34 claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
“I’m happy with the victory but would have liked to finish with the timing that could have helped me qualify for the World Championships in Moscow. There is one more tournament to go in Turkey and I will try my level best to qualify through that event,” said Allafi, adding that it was tough at the beginning of the race.
“The heat was bit too much at the start but I was in full control of the proceeding and was not challenged by any of the chasing pack,” revealed Allafi, who is currently No. 2 in Africa.
Tunisia’s Hassnain el-Subaey won gold in the men’s 20km walk clocking 1:30.30sec. The second place was bagged by Mohammed Amer of Algeria with a timing of 1:41.30 while compatriot Hisham Jaber claimed bronze with a timing of 1:52.22.