(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Armstrong Vas | The Peninsula
Doha: A packed Khalifa International Stadium was a sight to behold after Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim retained his world title in high jump giving the host nation its first gold at the IAAF World Championships 2019.
Barshim jumped 2.37 meters, the best in the world this year, and his victory was sealed when Russians Mikhail Akimenko and Ilya Ivanyuk both failed all three attempts at that height. Barshim has a personal best of 2.43, two centimeters short of the world record, but opted to stop jumping at 2.37 and start the celebrations.
'For me, it was a dream. At home it was just amazing. Everybody was there the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, my family and friends, said Barshim after his victory.
The stadium which saw a sea of Qatar flags cheered every jump from with some displaying a large banner bearing his image.
The 28-year-old, who suffered from an ankle injury and was barely seen in action in the last 18 months, had a comfortable start, jumping to 2.19m, 2.24m, 2.27m and 2.30.
The superstar made a comeback in the 2.33m barrier, which he cleared in his final attempt. Barshim, then cleared 2.35m before Akimenko raised the bar to 2.37, which the Qatari also cleared to seal the title.
'I must be happy as this is my first major senior championships. The personal record is great but I know I could have jumped the 237 in the second attempt, said Akimenko.
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