India's Neeraj Chopra celebrates after winning the javelin throw event at the Doha Diamond League, yesterday. Pictures. Rajan Vadakkemuriyil
Doha: America’s JuVaughn Harrison leapt 2.32m to clinch an impressive victory in men’s high jump as local favourite Mutaz Barshim ended up at disappointing third spot in the opening meeting of the Diamond League season in Doha, yesterday.
India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra also stole limelight at the crowded Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium as the ace javelin thrower kicked off his Diamond League title defence with a resounding win, hurling a massive 88.67m to set a world lead.
While Neeraj thrilled his fans, reigning Olympic and world champion Barshim, backed by home spectators, failed to live up to expectations in his first competitive event of the season.
Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim competes during the men’s high jump event.
The three-time Diamond League champion could clear only clear 2.24m on his second attempt before he failed in all three tries on 2.27m. Barshim, who cleared 2.20m to win gold at West Asian Championship last week, had earlier needed three tries to clear 2.21m after starting comfortably with 2.18m.
“It wasn’t the performance I wanted, but the atmosphere was amazing, and I thank the crowd for their support. I definitely have few points to work on but it’s the first Diamond League of the season and I know what to do to improve. Next is the Stockholm Diamond League,” Barshim said after the event.
Harrison, 24, remained flawless during his winning performance clearing 2.15m, 2.18m, 2.21m, 2,24m, 2,27m, 2.30 and 2.32m in first attempts.
“It’s great to come out here and take the win. I wanted to go higher, but there was no need to overdo it, everything technique wise went great,” said Harrison, who retired after failing to clear 2.35m in his first attempt.
South Korea’s Woo Sanghyeok, who won in Doha last year, took second position with a jump of 2.27m in his third try.
A general view at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium during the Doha Diamond League meeting, yesterday.
In men’s javelin, Neeraj’s first throw of 88.67m remained the best of the day with Czech Republic’s Vadlejch Jakub securing second position with 88.63m. Grenada’s Peters Anderson first throw of 85.88 earned him the third spot.
“I feel really good, today was challenging for all athletes, but I’m still satisfied with my result. It was a good start and the atmosphere has been great. Doha meetings are always great. My plan is to stay consistent and keep winning,” said Neeraj.
Meanwhile, America’s Olympic and world champion Katie Moon won the women’s pole vault with a second-time clearance at 4.81m, the best jump in the world this year. Slovenia’s Tina Sutej was second with 4.76m while Sandi Morris of the US was third with 4.71m.
“I’m really happy that I came in the first place. The crowd here is always unbelievable. In the past I’ve taken shots at world records, and I’ll be happy to win them again hopefully, sky is the limit,” said Moon.
In men’s triple jump, Burkina Faso’s Hugues Fabrice Zango had a world lead but he lost to Portugal’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who claimed victory with a windy 17.91m.
Slovenia’s Ceh Kristjan bagged victory in men’s discus throw with his first attempt of 70.89m – a meeting record – beating Sweden’s Daniel Stahl, whose best throw yesterday was 67.14m.
America’s Sam Mattis ended up third with 64.69m while Qatar’s Moaaz Ibrahim threw 61.92m to finish on eighth spot in the event.
