Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim reacts after winning gold in Men's High Jump final at World Athletics Championships at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar, October 4, 2019. Reuters/Pawel Kopczynski
DOHA: Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim sent the crowd wild on Friday winning the men's high jump title at the World Athletics Championships.
The 28-year-old -- who had got himself out of trouble by succeeding on his third and final attempt at 2.33 metres -- took gold with a jump of 2.37 metres.
The minor medals went to two athletes competing under the Authorised Neutral Athlete banner.
Mikhail Akimenko took silver on countback with 2.35m and Ilya Ivanyuk won the bronze with 2.35m
Lifted by a packed stadium, Barshim’s victory gave the hosts first gold medal.
With the crowd at Khalifa Stadium on their feet for every jump, Barshim delivered the performance they demanded by clearing 2.37 metres on his first attempt before watching on as his rivals failed to match his effort.
Two Russians, who are in Qatar competing as neutral athletes, completed the podium with Mikhail Akimenko taking the silver and Ilya Ivanyuk the bronze.
Barshim became the first man to successfully defend the world high jump crown.
The crowd in Qatar is delighted after Barshim retained his title.
Barshim’s jump, 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.
Every jump from Barshim was cheered uproariously by a large crowd of Qataris in the nearest stand, some displaying a large banner bearing his image.
The crowd Friday is much larger than at any previous day of the championships.
