Staying positive is key to following one’s desires and ambitions, Qatar’s high jump star Mutaz Essa Barshim has said, after making a memorable return to competition from injury.
Barshim suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle last year in July while he attempted a would-be world record height of 2.76m in Hungary. However, he was left clenching his ankle in pain, and then had to undergo extensive treatment, including a surgery and a six-month long rehabilitation programme.
He finally made a return to training ahead of the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha in April this year, but skipped the continental meet in order to focus on bigger things — IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 — which will be hosted at the same venue, Khalifa International Stadium, starting September 27.
The 28-year-old world champion posted a string of heartfelt tweets expressing his anxiety and thoughts through these trying months. “Thanks to Allah for my recovery from the serious injury that I suffered last year,” Barshim, the 2017 World Athlete of the Year, wrote.
“It was a very difficult experience,” he said, adding, “especially in the run up to the World Championships in Doha 2019 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.”
He also wrote about how the surgery was a “risk” and was taken after several consultations.
He referred to his rehabilitation phase as the “most difficult stage” of his recovery period, adding that it involved “more than six months of hard work, both physical and psychological”.
“Every day, the idea of return became almost impossible, but with patience, determination, positive thinking and faith in Allah, nothing is impossible,” he said.
There was a special mention for his family, friends, team and fans who stood by him and “helped me overcome this experience”.
His recent return to the Diamond League after 13 months in London, where he finished second with a jump of 2.27m, brought him “cheers of the audience (that) were heartening”.
What’s also been heartening is Barshim’s positive influence on the larger athletics world. Fellow high-jumper Gianmarco Tamberi, who in the past has spoken about the support the Qatari athlete gave him a few years ago during the Italian’s own crisis of confidence, posted words of support on the social media.
“I wish you the best of luck, big brother. Go and show the world what ‘jump’ does it means! Always by your side!” Tamberi posted on Instagram ahead of the Qatari’s London jump on Sunday.
For those who are hoping to get in-depth details of his journey, including this experience, there will be a book some time next year, Barshim said, before signing off with, “I would like to remind everyone who has a dream and desire and ambition, always think positively. Great things need time.”
Qatari high-jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim (left) and his coach Stanislaw Szczyrba. (Twitter/mutazbarshim)
