Qatar’s high jumper and What Gravity Challenge Tour founder Mutaz Barshim speaks during the during 2025 Gravity Challenge Tour launch in Doha. What Gravity Challenge CEO Omar Shamiyeh (left), Hochsprung, Heilbronn Chairman Oliver Blumenstock and Heilbronn City representative Altin Zhegrova (right) are also present.
Doha: After the huge success of the inaugural edition of the What Gravity Challenge — an initiative by legendary Mutaz Barshim — the world-class high jump event is going global.
Four-time Olympic medalist and three-time world champion Barshim announced the expansion of his brainchild initiative, transforming the event from a local gathering in Qatar into a global tour — now renamed the Gravity Challenge World Tour. Last May, Barshim hosted and won the first edition of the What Gravity Challenge, in which the 12 best high jumpers competed at the Katara Amphitheatre.
The 2025 Gravity Challenge World Tour will begin in Doha on May 9 with the Katara Amphitheatre being the venue again, with the second stop scheduled for Heilbronn, Germany, on August 9 and 10.
At a press conference, Barshim explained the reasons for taking the event to a global level and emphasised that the success of the first edition has paved the way for the Gravity Challenge to become a global series. He envisions it as a competitive platform that not only showcases the sport but also inspires future generations.
“High jump has given me everything, and now it’s time to give back. The launch of the What Gravity Tour is not just about competition — it’s about creating a legacy for high jump, inspiring future generations, and providing athletes with the stage and recognition they deserve. Starting in Doha and expanding to Heilbronn, we are building a truly global platform, and we look forward to welcoming even more international destinations in the future,” he said.
The inaugural edition was a massive success, drawing top athletes and receiving extensive coverage both regionally and internationally. The event was broadcast by the International Association of Athletics Federations, highlighted in official documentaries, and supported by global brands.
“The Gravity Challenge rounds represent the next step in the evolution of a Qatari-based championship that has now become global. What started as a distinguished individual event in Doha has grown into an internationally recognized series, attracting the best high jump athletes from around the world. This shift was made possible after the championship received silver classification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF),” Barshim said.
Barshim mentioned that the tour will operate on a league system, where athletes will accumulate points from each tournament, culminating in the crowning of the overall champion at the end of the season.
He further explained that the success of the first edition and the participation of the world’s top-ranked athletes in Doha led the IAAF to approve and classify the championship.
The events will be broadcast worldwide with the support of media partners, live-streamed on the Federation's official website, and featured in their digital content. Additionally, the records set during the events will be included in the IAAF’s official high jump records, solidifying the event's artistic and competitive value.
The Gravity Challenge is now the first Qatari-originated athletics championship to evolve into a world tour, setting a new benchmark for high jump competitions globally.
Oliver Blumenstock, representing the Heilbronn Tour, expressed his excitement about the championship becoming a global league. He emphasized that the collaboration between Heilbronn and Doha in the Gravity Challenge will make Germany proud of the event's global development and rankings, marking a major step in setting an international standard for high jump competitions.
Blumenstock also highlighted Heilbronn’s strong athletics tradition, adding that hosting the event will boost the sport’s popularity, providing a fantastic experience for athletes and fans alike. He pointed out that the Gravity Challenge rounds are not only about competition but also aim to celebrate sports, heritage, and international cooperation.
