Barshim jumps to gold at Zurich Diamond League
Zurich: Qatar’s high jump superstar Mutaz Barshim showed glimpses of returning to his best after winning the Zurich Diamond League title at the Stadion Letzigrund yesterday.
The Olympic champion cleared 2.35 metres to win and earn a bit of redemption after his disappointing bronze at the Budapest World Championships last week. New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr finished runner-up after clearing 2.33m for national record and his personal best. South Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo took third spot at 2.24m, beating newly-crowned world champion Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy on countback.
Barshim went clear at 2.15 and 2.20 but needed second attempt to go past 2.24. But thereafter the 32-year-old was clinical until 2.35. Once the victory was in his bag, Barshim made an attempt at 2.37 twice and 2.40m once but it wasn’t meant to be.
Barshim, also a three-time World Champion, said he wasn’t at his best physically or mentally but was ‘proud’ of his victory. “I had some solid jumps today – to jump 2.35 – and I am not the freshest coming from the World Championships physically and mentally a bit tired but I am proud of myself today,” the Qatari legend after his victory.
“It felt good and it was a good competition. You know, last week it was really hot today so this weather feels pretty cold. To win one event, it does not mean anything, you need to prove it. That is the sport - sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down. So I am very glad for the win today.”
“I really felt like I found something that was missing in my jumps. I would say I am kind of a family guy - boring one - always at home with my family and my friends. I travel a lot so whenever I can spend some time with my family with them and they give me an extra energy to have them here,” he added.
Barshim said now his main priority is to retain the Asian Games gold in China later this month, while also hoping to triumph at the Diamond League Finals, which will be held in Eugene, USA on September 16 and 17. “Now, Eugene is probably on the schedule but for us, the Asian Games is very important too so I need to talk to my agent first,” Barshim said.
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