Browsing 'mutaz barshim' News

byShabina S. Khatri
Sports
byShabina S. Khatri
Sports

Sheikh Joaan

Mutaz Barshim

Silver Olympic medalist Mutaz Barshim has been shortlisted as one of the world’s top male athletes.

The high-jumping hero is among 10 men nominated for the 2017 World Athletes of the Year.

The award is given out annually by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

IAAF

IAAF award nominees

Other people up for the honor include British distance runner Mo Farah and American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks.

Barshim has had a blockbuster winning streak in 2017, clinching a gold medal for Qatar at the World Athletics Championships in August.

According to the IAAF, he has been undefeated in all 11 competitions this year.

And last year, he took home Qatar’s first silver Olympic medal in Rio.

Vote online

Fans can help boost Barshim’s chances of winning by voting online.

This can be done by liking him on Facebook or retweeting this post on Twitter.

The IAAF said public votes will count for 25 percent of the final result, with IAAF officials’ feedback determining the rest of the decision.

Voting closes at 2pm Doha time on Oct. 16. On that day, three male and three female finalists will be declared.

The winners will then be announced live at the IAAF Athletic Awards 2017 on Nov. 24 in Monaco.

Thoughts?

byShabina S. Khatri
Sports
byShabina S. Khatri
Sports

Sheikh Joaan

Mutaz Barshim

High-jumping hero Mutaz Barshim clinched a gold medal for Qatar this week at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

The 26-year-old Qatari athlete cleared 2.35m to win the finals in London last night.

He beat Russian Danil Lysenko, who took the silver for jumping 2.32m, while Syrian Eddin Ghazal won the bronze with a jump of 2.29m.

However, Barshim was unable to surpass his own record of 2.43m, which he set in 2014 during the World Indoor Athletics Championships.

That jump is the second highest on record, just behind Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s 2.45m.

According to Reuters, Barshim said:

“My first big world championships gold and I was so determined to win it. I was expecting it tonight so I am glad I managed to fulfill my target.

Let’s say, I was recovering last year. I did not want to put too much pressure on myself, but now I am back in shape and feel I can go even higher. I do not want to retire one day with the feeling that there is still something left.”

Blockbuster year

It’s been a great year for Barshim, who has won all seven competitions he’s participated in over the past eight months.

Barshim also took home Qatar’s first silver Olympic medal in Rio last August.

The athlete will attempt to break his own record when Qatar hosts the next World Championships in two years’ time.

Thoughts?

byShabina S. Khatri
Sports
byShabina S. Khatri
Sports

Qatar Olympics Committee

Mutaz Barshim at the IAAF championships

Olympic medalist Mutaz Barshim has advanced to the high-jump finals at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

The 26-year-old Qatari easily cleared 2.31m yesterday in London and will compete today against five other athletes who also made the cut.

Barshim has so far won all six competitions he’s participated in this year, but previously said success at the IAAF World is what he’s been working toward.

He will compete at 9:05pm on Sunday night Doha time, according to the IAAF timetable. You should be able to watch it live here.

Hoping to break the record

Barshim currently holds the record for the second best high jumper of all time.

In 2014, he took the gold in the World Indoors Athletics Championships after clearing 2.43m.

He has been trying to beat that record ever since.

He failed to do it at the Rio Olympics in August, but still won Qatar’s first-ever silver medal after jumping 2.36m.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ahmed Badir will also compete in a final today, for the javelin throw.

QOC/Twitter

Qatar’s javelin thrower Ahmed Badir

That will take place at 10:15pm, Doha time.

Thoughts?