SHANGHAI KNIGHT!
QATAR’S Mutaz Essa Barshim continued his impressive start to the season by winning high jump gold with an effort of 2.33M at the International Association of Athletics Federations’ Shanghai Diamond League.
The 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist had won the IAAF season opener in Doha by clearing 2.36M.
Although he could not match that show in the Chinese city, Mutaz was still happy at having maintained the winning streak.
“I’m happy with the win. It was an important win and a point for the Diamond race,” said Mutaz, who first cleared 2.24, then 2.27 before raising the bar to 2.33. He had a go at a Shanghai meet record height of 2.37M, but could not clear it.
China’s Wang Yu clinched silver with a leap of 2.30 while Ukraine’s Andriy Protsenko settled for bronze (2.27).
Canada’s world and Olympic champion Derek Drouin utterly disappointed as he failed three times at 2.20.
Mutaz, who has a personal best of 2.43 and is eyeing Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s world record of 2.45M, hopes to improve as the season progresses.
Mutaz hopes to extend his winning streak at the next Diamond League meet in Eugene, the US, on May 27.
“I’m comfortable with the way I’ve jumped so far. My coach is also happy with it. The new season has so far been good and it’s time to keep going. I’m raring to give it all at Eugene,” added Mutaz.
