Buoyant Barshim, Focused Samba to Set Stage Alight in Doha Tonight TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Best Shot, and I Hope It Turns DOHA out Well,” Said Fraser-Pryce
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QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Clay king QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in same half of French Open draw FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 PAGE 12 Buoyant Barshim, focused Samba to set stage alight in Doha tonight TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK best shot, and I hope it turns DOHA out well,” said Fraser-Pryce. AMIDST the stellar line-up of I’m now going to be athletes who have descended treating every meet as if in Doha for the Wanda Dia- it is the last: Morris mond league 2021, mega stars “The global pandemic was a pe- Mutaz Essa Barshim and Ab- riod of self-reflection for me and derrahman Samba will lead made me put things in proper the challenge for Qatari ath- perspective. Now, I am going to letes on what will be a dazzling be treating every meet as if it is evening of athletics at the Su- the last competition because you haim Bin Hamad Stadium at never know what will happen Qatar Sports Club on Friday. next,” Morris, the Rio Olympics The year’s event features silver medalist, said. more than 200 athletes, includ- According to her, she ing 12 reigning world champi- had to make many technical ons and several national and changes during the lockdown, world record holders. which she believed has set her The Doha leg is the second up for the challenges ahead, stop in the 14-cities meeting, especially with the upcoming following the season-opening Tokyo Games. “I am very ex- event held last Sunday in Gates- cited to kick off the season in head, North East of England. Doha. I’ve been jumping a lot The no-spectator compe- of 4.70m and 4.80m in prac- tition is being held under the tice, and I feel very confident safest conditions and in strict going into the competition.” adherence to the health and safety protocols stipulated by Happy to be back in the relevant health authorities Doha: Cheruiyot with all the participants, in- World champion Cheruiyot cluding more than 100 techni- has a 1500m best of 3:28.41 cal and medical personnel and from 2018, said he is happy escorts in a bio-bubble system. to be back in Doha - the city Among the unprecedented where he struck gold at the number of superstars on pa- World Championships in 2019. rade at this year’s event are “I’ve always loved com- reigning men’s high jump peting in Doha, and I look world champion Mutaz Bar- forward to another victory to- shim, Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Qatar’s world stars Mutaz Essa Barshim (centre) and Abderrahman Samba (right) during the Wanda Diamond League 2021 press conference in Doha on Thursday. morrow,” he said. Fraser-Pryce, two-time Olym- Cheruiyot, who is one of pic champion and reigning 2011, said he looks forward is going on well, and it is so far the top contenders for Olym- women’s 100m world cham- to making the event memo- so good,” he added. pic gold in Tokyo, admitted pion; Beatrice Chepkoech rable with his performance. that the pandemic massively (Kenya), the reigning world “It’s been two years since I Running below 10.70secs disrupted his previous plans champion and world record last competed in the Diamond is my big dream in Tokyo: for Tokyo, but he has learnt to holder in women’s 3000m League in Doha, and I am ex- Fraser-Pryce adjust and gradually getting steeplechase. Also on the cards cited to be back. Doha is where According to Fraser-Pryce, a back into shape. are 1500m world champion it all started for me, and I’m al- two-time Olympic champion On his plans for Tokyo, the Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya, ways happy to compete here in in 100m, running below 10.70 Kenyan said his focus is to be Russia’s Anzhelika Sidorova, front of my people. It is always secs is her major dream for the in top shape and make it to the the reigning pole vault world special competing at home as Friday’s Programme Tokyo Olympics. “I’ll be happy Games. “1,500m is increasing- champion who won the title in I’m more motivated.” ALL FINALS (SCHEDULED) 19:14: 800m Women to be on the podium, but to ly becoming very competitive a lifetime best of 4.95m. Barshim, who recently be- 17:58hrs: Pole Vault Women 19:28: 1500m Men American Sandi Morris: Rio 2016 be honest, I am more inter- with lots of great athletes in- Representing the home- came a proud father, revealed 18:23: 400m Men B Race 19:42: 200m Men and 2019 World Championship ested in running sub 10.70. volved. I have to remain in top front, alongside Barshim, are that his life-long dream is to ce- 18:25: Discus Throw Women 19:50: Shot Put silver medalist in pole vault. It is something I am working shape and keep my focus to 17 of Qatar’s best athletes, ment his legacy in the high jump 18:33: 800m Men B Race 19:53 3000m Steeplechase Women hard towards it. To have both achieve something significant including Samba, the World to the extent that when people 18:38: Triple Jump Women 20:14: 800m Men than 47 seconds, has had phe- will be quite interesting but here and in Tokyo,” he added. 18:43: 100m Men 20:26: 400m Men Championship’s 400m hurdles mentioned high jump in the fu- 18:53: 400m Hurdles Men B Race 20:38: 100m Women nomenal career growth since running below 10.70 is my top Also in attendance at the bronze medalist, and world- ture, the name Mutaz Barshim 19:03: 400m Hurdles Men 20:48: 3000m Women he first caught the world’s priority,” said the 34-year-old media meet were his compatri- leading 1500m star Musaab Ali will be on everyone’s lips. 19:05: High Jump Men 21:10: 3000m Steeplechase Men eyes after winning the 400 m Jamaican, who won her fourth ot Samba, USA’s Rai Benjamin, Adam, who recently qualified “I am someone who is not hurdles at the 2017 Diamond world 100m title in 2019 after the World Championship’s for the Tokyo Olympics. easily satisfied, and I keep League Doha, beating Olympic two years away from the sport 400m hurdles silver medalist, Adam will be competing pushing myself as I’ve lots and staying focused. Records in Tokyo: Samba champion Kerron Clement. to have her son Zyon. Fraser-Pryce, Cheruiyot, and alongside compatriots Hamza of personal goals I want to will come if and when they “Winning the bronze medal at “I’m pushing hard to im- She noted that mother- Sandi Morris, Rio 2016 and Driouch and Mohammed Al achieve. Before I retire, I want will come as you cannot set a the last world championships is prove on my performance in hood had been one of the 2019 World Championship sil- Garni. Also on the list is Olym- to say I’ve achieved all my time for records. Who knows, not enough, and Tokyo presents Tokyo. I am focused on giving greatest things to ever happen ver medalist in pole vault. pics-bound Abdulrahman goals. This is what drives me I might not only jump 2.45m another opportunity to improve my best performance, and I’m to her as it has changed many The 2021 Wanda Diamond Saeed Hassan and the sibling and keep me going,” he added. but probably 2.47m as well on my last outing on the global keeping an eye on the medal things about her and has fur- League comprises 14 meetings - duo of Femi and Seun Oguno- On breaking the existing because I believe impossibil- stage,” said Samba, who is one podium. It is always great to ther enhanced her personality. starting with Gateshead (replac- de (100m), among others. 2.45m world record, Barshim ity is Nothing.” of the major revelations in ath- compete here in Doha, and I “Though it has not been ing Rabat as the first host city on Addressing a press confer- said, “Nothing is impossible. letics in recent years. hope to have a wonderful out- easy with the pandemic, but I this year’s circuit) on Sunday, ence on Thursday, Barshim, The most important thing for I’m pushing myself to The 25-year-old, who is ing. I am in better shape than believe I am gradually getting May 23 – leading to a single fi- who made his debut at this an athlete is remaining moti- do better than my world the second person to run the in 2019, and I believe things back to top-form. I am ready nal across two days in Zurich at very competition in Doha in vated, being in good health, championships record 400m hurdle event in less are looking good. My training to give tomorrow’s event my the end of the season. My dream is to become the world’s greatest, says Benjamin TNN/AGENCIES 46 might not be enough again South African Wayde van diner won in 43.48. DOHA because the competition is get- Niekerk, who broke Michael Kerley, second-fastest in ting tougher by the day. I in- Johnson‘s world record in Rio, the world in 2017, took bronze AMERICAN 400m hurdler tend to keep improving myself I want to has been largely absent since behind Gardiner in Doha two Rai Benjamin will hold the and hopefully go into the record be remembered tearing an ACL and meniscus years ago. This year, he im- spotlight alongside Qatar’s books in Tokyo,” he said.