Mutaz Essa Barshim is world champion
Doha, Qatar: And gold it is.
Mutaz Essa Barshim was in a fight against himself. Fighting to prove that his mind and body, which he later conceded was not 100 per cent, would cope with the ultimate pressure of a world championship. Fighting to prove that he is too good even if he is not in full rhythm after being out of action for close to a year.
He had not gone past 2.27 since returning to the field in July before clearing a 2.29 in Doha in the qualifiers on Tuesday.
But on Friday, he found his wings.
Backed by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and a roaring crowd, who chanted his name and raised the roof at the Khalifa International Stadium whenever he started his run-up, Mutaz cleared 2.37 with unbelievable ease and punched his arms in the air.
His closest rivals, Mikhail Akimenko and Ilya Ivanyuk tried their best but could not clear the height in their three attempts, leaving the gold where it belonged — with the 28-year-old from Doha.
Akimenko, having cleared 2.35 in his first attempt, took silver while Ivanyuk, who needed three, settled for bronze.
Earlier, Mutaz was under extreme pressure while trying to clear 2.33 and was staring at disappointment.
Mutaz had faltered in his first two attempts. Dalilah Muhammed had just broken the world record in 400m hurdles, but Mutaz was the focal point of everyone in the stadium. He warmed up the crowd to a rhythmic clapping, which reached fever pitch by the time he was about to take off, and he soared.
That was probably when Mutaz realised the gold was going to be his and there was no stopping him after that.
"For me, it was just a dream. At home, it was just amazing," said Mutaz after the win.
"Everybody was there – my family, friends, and HH the Emir himself. They lifted me up.
"I was not 100 per cent ready but when I came there and saw all those people cheering for me, even if I was dying, if they take me out with a wheelchair or with an ambulance, I would do everything I can," said the Aspire Academy product.
