Alkass Digital
After getting back to form, high jump superstar Mutaz Barshim is eyeing his second successive Diamond League victory in a week’s time as he is set to compete in the star-studded London meeting today.
The reigning Olympic and world champion Qatari is among an array of champion athletes taking part at the London Stadium in what is the last Diamond League stop before the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, which will take place from August 19 to 27.
Barshim has enjoyed many memorable moments in London starting with his maiden Olympic podium at the 2012 Games where he clinched a silver medal. The lanky athlete’s unprecedented hat-trick of world titles also started in London in 2017 followed by his victories in Doha 2019 and Eugene 2022.
“To open my Diamond League season in Doha was special as there is no support quite like the support you get at home, but returning to London, where I won my first World Championships title, is always close to my heart,” Barshim told the Diamond League website.
“I know I’ve achieved a lot, but I’m still chasing and aiming for more. I have set my own goals and targets for 2023 and the World Championships and the Asian Games are at the top of that list. Competing in London is the perfect preparation for Budapest where I’m aiming to win my fourth global title,” he added.
He also excelled in other venues in the UK including a silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham in 2018.
Barshim will compete in London following his winning jump of 2.36m at the Silesia meeting – a world lead – last week.
He will get a challenge from Germany’s Tobias Potye, who cleared 2.34m in Silesia, besides USA’s JuVaughn Harrison and Australia’s Joel Baden.
It will be third Diamond League competition of the ongoing season for Barshim as he finished third in his season-opening meet in Doha in May.
Meanwhile, Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, shot putter Ryan Crouser and pole vaulter Katie Moon, the world and Olympic champions in their respective disciplines are among top stars taking part in the London meeting, which will also witness a 100m battle between world 200m champion Shericka Jackson and US champion Sha’Carri Richardson.