The Peninsula
Since Cuba’s Javier Sotomayor set the world record of 2.45m in 1993, leading high jumpers have been pursuing the mark over the years without success.
For Qatar’s reigning world champion, Mutaz Barshim – the man tipped to have the best chance of shattering the longstanding record – the uphill task is achievable.
“I think 2.47m is possible if you manage to stay healthy,” Barshim said at a Doha Diamond League (DDL) press conference yesterday, when asked if a jump of 2.45m is possible.
To another query regarding the world record, Barshim said: “The record is going to be (broken) or not. To be honest, I don’t know, but I hope so. I believe impossibility is nothing.” “I think the major target for me is just to stay healthy because I know if I’m healthy and fit, I can do pretty much good stuff. “Tokyo (Olympics) definitely is going to be the target,” he added.
The DDL, taking place today at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium, is the first major event for Barshim after he famously won gold at the 2019 World Athletics Championships at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium following a long injury lay-off. He became only the second high jumper in the world to win two world titles after Sotomayor.
Earlier this month, the gravity-defying athlete competed at Ready Steady Tokyo meeting and tied for a first place with a leap of 2.30m. In his first appearance since the world title, Barshim crossed the 2.25m mark in Doha in March this year.
“It’s been two years, been a long time, and I’m actually happy and excited to be back. I love jumping, so I’m definitely home, which gives extra excitement and motivation. Two years for me, of course, is a long time. But, I know how to manage that. I’ve been through this,” he said.
“My coach has the experience. I believe in him. He always managed to get me in shape. So I believe in my team and I don’t think two years will be any problem for me. I have a great people around me and make sure I’m in check,” the 29-year-old added.
Barshim will complete 10 years in the competition since he made his debut in the DDL in 2011. “We realised last week it is my 10th year in Diamond League.
I remember when we started, I wasn’t that good and my coach said that you have to change that if you want to be here for so long. If you want to jump in a high level for 10 years, we need to do something.
To stay healthy is very important,” he said. Barshim will be up against Canada’s Olympic champion Derek Drouin as the duo face off for the first time in four years.
The pair, which has won Diamond League titles and medals over the years, have struggled due to injuries.
World bronze medallist Ilya Ivanyuk, European indoor champion Maksim Nedasekau and 2018 Diamond League winner Brandon Starc will also be seen in action today.
Besides Barshim, Hamdi Mohamat will also represent Qatar in the event.