“I was not 100-per-cent ready but when I came here and saw all those people cheering for me, even if I was dying, I would do SUNday, OCTOBER 6, 2019 everything I can.”

© IAAF Truly Great: Barshim beats dreadful past, looks ahead to glorious future

Vinay Nayudu

It was last October Mutaz Essa Barshim was seen on crutches, looking up a flight of stairs at the Aspire Hospital. It was a dreadful sight to see for one of the great high jumpers of all time, who was recovering from the serious ankle injury he suffered during a meet in Hungary. A year later, there was the same Barshim at the Khalifa International Stadium on Fri- day – waiting to run in and scale the bar. His eyes shining bright and fo- cused, he went on to do where even many of the bests would fail given the pressure -- deliver a stunning perfor- mance! Participating in a few meets The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani with and with 2.29m being his high- Mutaz Barshim after he defended his IAAF World Championship est mark throughout the year, men’s high jump gold with a sensational triumph at the Doha Barshim flew over 2.37m in a Worlds 2019 at a packed Khalifa International Stadium on Friday. flash and flawless. The packed 48,000 stadium went ecstatic. Among those witnessing Asian, Qatar athletics Barshim’s historic home mo- ment were The Amir His High- ness Sheikh Tamim bin Ham- associations dedicate ad al Thani, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, Chairman Barshim’s win to Doha Worlds 2019 Organising Committee and President, Qa- tar Olympic Committee, Dr. wise leadership Thani Abdulrahman al Ku- wari, President, Qatar Athlet- QNA Issa al Fadala also expressed ics Federation, Barshim’s fam- Doha pride in the outstanding achieve- ily and others. ment of Barshim. There was an immedi- The Asian and Qatari athletics He said that the achieve- ate frenzy as Barshim was federations dedicated the win ment did not come from a hugged by HE Sheikh Joaan of Qatari Olympic and world vacuum, but is a fruit of the sup- and Dr. Thani. He then waved Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim exults after clearing 2.37m in the men’s high jump at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday. (AFP champion Mutaz Barshim at the port and guidance of the wise to the fans, went for a victory IAAF Champion- leadership and its sponsorship lap which was cut short as It wasn’t just he though self doubts. “You start pos- supported me a lot; I just clean and well over. ships Doha 2019 to the wise of sports and athletes in Qatar. he was called up for a quick who was motivated. Just as the ing questions like wanted to do it for them. They The other two failed in leadership. Al Fadala said that this new television interview. Soon he clock raced towards 8.15pm, am I ever going to are the champions their attempts for Barshim to President of the Asian Athlet- achievement is a great honour rushed several floors up to fans from almost every corner jump again and tonight, not me,” he crowned the well-deserved ics Association (AAA) Dahlan al not only for the Qatar Athletics meet HH The Amir. of the stadium flocked in. This you start hav- told the media. champion. Hamad expressed his delight Federation and Barshim but for “He (the Amir) was very included sections of stands ing questions As for the fi- The first to jump and hug with Barshim’s win, saying that all the people of Qatar, espe- excited, very happy. I went to which had poster and placard- about yourself. nal show, Barshim Barshim just after he cleared the athlete’s return from injury cially the youth, who are able see him after the end of the waving Qatari fans willing him But now I am seemed to be going great 2.37 was fellow competitor Gi- and overcoming all obstacles to compete at the highest level competition, and he said ‘Well over the heights. just thinking guns – sailing clear in anmarco Tamberi of Italy. proved once again that he is with creativity and excellence in done. I have no words to say. “I am jumping, and they about the future first attempt on 2.19, The ‘showman’ jumper, the world’s best at high jump. various fields if equipped with You did everything, more than (the crowds) just showed up, and I am really hap- 2.24, 2.27, and 2.30 who keeps moustache and Al Hamad added that Barshim’s capabilities, qualifications, self- I expected’. He’s really happy, the stadium was full,” said py where I am,” he tells you. before two stutters at beard only on the left side achievements adds to the confidence, and determination he’s proud and I am proud Barshim. “They believed in Despite his great return 2.33. These two failed of his face, the other clean- gloss of Qatar’s organization of for success. too,” said Barshim much later me, they supported me, and I through sheer perseverance, attempts also brought shaven, said he was delighted the competition, and delights Director of Qatar’s national while speaking to the media. believe this will spark some- hard work and belief, Barshim about a hush inside the of what his good friend had Qatari citizens and residents athletics teams Khalifa Abdul- It was well past midnight thing, for the nation itself, for attributed his success to the stadium. The big roar achieved. alike. He also extended the malik stressed that Barshim’s before Barshim could have got the upcoming events. people who stood by him and soon returned when “On champions can per- congratulations to HE President achievement shows his true the chance to be all by himself “Today I saw the joy in peo- his home fans. “I have won a Barshim jumped over form under such great home of Qatar Olympic Committee character. to reflect on the greatness of ple’s eyes.” lot of medals but this one was 2.35. But so did neu- pressure and Barshim is a great (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Abdulmalik said that Bar- his own glory. One wonders if Barshim at home, so it feels tral athletes Mikhail champion. He’s my good friend al Thani, who also chairs the shim outdid himself and other From winning his first would have dreamt of this different. Akimenko and Ilya and I’m pretty sure than he is competition’s organizing commit- champions despite the injury, title as a teenager while lying in the hospital Every- Ivanyuk. the best high jumper ever that tee, for the win. pointing out that this achieve- in 2010 and the World U20 bed in August 2018 when he body came The mark of 2.37 we’ve seen. Also how he did it For his part, HE President ment has a special taste gold medal the same year, the tweeted a picture of his and here and became the new norm. is amazing. To jump 2.37 and of Qatar Athletics Association because it was achieved in front now 28-year-old Barshim has of the X-ray showing a screw Barshim was in first in that way, just he can do it.” Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman al of the home crowd. come a long way. From the being inserted for repair up and the crescendo What a memorable turna- Kuwari expressed his pride at Khalid al Marri, Deputy Direc- Asian Games, to the Olympics just above his ankle. It followed as he made the round since 2018 to 2019. Next Barshim’s defence of the high tor of national athletics teams to IAAF World Champion- was scary. crowd clap and cheer aloud. August, Barshim will look to jump title. He said that what the and Director of Qatar Athletics ships – the world has seen him “My injury last year The longish run-up and the keep another date with destiny Qatari athlete did today (Friday) Federation, praised the high dominate the men’s high jump could have been career lift-off off his left foot (using aiming to turn his now Olym- was a great accomplishment, fighting spirit of Barshim and event like no other. ending,” explained the the Fosbury Flop technique), pic bronze and silver into gold given that he had just returned the confidence he had during This time though it wasn’t champion, who the Qatari star went neat, at Tokyo in 2020. from injury. Al Kuwari added the competitions to succeed in about whether he could do it or only returned that Barshim’s dominance is a reaching his goal and retaining not. But how, given his long re- to training in Gold medallist Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim celebrates on the podium true testament to his talent and his title. He pointed out that covery and the workload on his April this year. during the medal ceremony for the men’s high jump at the IAAF Athletics commitment. He stressed that Barshim managed to recover body. But it was the supreme Then World Championships Doha 2019 at the Khalifa International Stadium the support of the country’s wise from injury in record time before motivation which did the trick. there were on Saturday. (AFP) leadership to sport was a main the start of the world athletics reason to the excellence shown championships, stressing that in different sports competitions. winning the gold represents a Qatar Athletics Federation’s tremendous achievement for the Secretary-General Mohammed Qatari sports.

Barshim (right) with coach Stanislaw Szczyrba of Barshim is congratulated by Puerto Rico’s Luis Cas- talk on the podium after the medal cere- Barshim (right) celebrates with supporters after winning the men’s tro Rivera soon after after the men’s high jump final mony at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha high jump final at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.( AFP) at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday. (AFP) on Saturday. (AFP)