Samba, Mutaz soar in Oslo

Doha: It was a stunning night for Qatar in athletics as two of its stars, Mutaz Essa Barshim and Abderrahman Samba, shone the brightest at the Bislett Games in Oslo on Friday.

Samba continued his scintillating form to take victory in 47.60sec — a new meet record — before Mutaz asserted his supremacy in high jump pit with an effort of 2.36M.

Samba, who has been in tremendous form this season, continued his amazing run of sub-48 finishes and pushed world champion and local favourite Karsten Warholm to second (48.22). Yasmani Copello of Turkey was third in 48.54.

“That was Samba over the hurdles, the difference between Rome was today it was a little bit windy.  I cannot say I was confident coming into the last hurdle to win but I have better endurance in last metres. I am enjoying life and hope to continue to run fast next time in Stockholm.  And Samba dance, I need to learn that more,” said Samba after the victory.

Samba leads the IAAF Diamond League standings with 24 points from Copello with 17 and Warholm with 14.

Later on, Mutaz was his usual composed self and cleared 2.36m at the first attempt as he found his rhythm.

World indoors champion Danil Lysenko was second after clearing 2.33m while Donald Thomas of Bahrain came third on countback after clearing 2.25m.

“I really wanted to break the meet record but it was not to be today,” said Barshim, who will next compete in Ostrava.