Mutaz leaps to a higher level of stardom

DOHA: Mutaz Barshim, Red Bull athlete and Qatar’s most cherished track and field athlete cleared another level, soaring yet gain to eminence, when he received the Athlete of the Year award,at the Esquire Man At His Best Awards2016 ceremony, in Dubai on November 29

Fondly nicknamed the Qatari Falcon, Barshim – the nation’s most cherished high jumper was honoured for his triumph at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this year, when also brought in Qatar’s first-ever Olympic silver medal.

Besides this glorious win, the young champ has also gone down the annals of history as the Asian record holder with a best mark of 2.43 m (7 ft 11?1⁄2 in). He is also the reigning World Indoor champion. The recent honour at the sixth annual Esquire Man At His Best Awards marked another proud moment, as Mutaz became the first recipient from Qatar to win the prize given away by Esquire Middle East.

Barshim was among 19 high-achieving individuals who were recognized by Esquire Middle East, the men’s lifestyle magazine, at a glittering ceremony studded with prominent people and regional cultural icons. The awards were presented to highly proficient individuals who have not only achieved exceptional triumphs and accomplishments, but have also been an inspiration to society.

Referring to his win a jubilant Barshim said, “Awards are like a fuel to me. The more I win the more it drives me towards achieving higher. The experiences I have been through in life have been the driving force behind me. I’ve been though a lot and getting this far has not been easy, but these encounters and events have definitely made me who I am today.

“I draw inspiration from everything around me. There’s so much to learn. My word of advice to young people looking for a future in high jumping is: train wisely and keep in mind three important points -Victory is the result of hard work, dedication and patience. There are no shortcuts. I am deeply motivated by my fans and in turn, I am honoured to inspire them. I want to thank all those who support me; my family, friends, fans and supporters always motivate me to aim higher."

Mutaz who is currently the highest active jumper in the world, with a record of 2.43m, is a true inspiration and role model for commitment, determination and hardwork. He is on a mission to rewrite world history by beating Javier Sotomayor’s record of 2.45m, to become the highest jumper of all time. 

By winning this award, Barshim joins the ranks of illustrious businessmen, outstanding humanitarian leaders and cultural stars from the region – true role models who are among the winners of the award, every year.

Awards were given out in various categories ranging from fashion, comedy, humanitarian services, athletics, and culinary abilities. — Press release