Doha, Qatar: Qatar's high jump star Mutaz Barshim yesterday clinched victory in the International High Jump Meeting in Heilbronn, Germany, as the reigning Olympic champion gears up for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. Barshim topped an impressive line-up with a leap of 2.31 meters, equaling his season's best as he proved once again that he is a top contender for the podium at the Stade de France later this month.
The competition included a lineup of 10 jumpers, including the former Commonwealth Games champion Brandon Starc of Australia, veteran former world champion Donald Thomas of the Bahamas, as well as former European U-20 title winner, and the current German national champion Tobias Potye. Barshim, the hot favourite at the meet, executed a flawless series of jumps, clearing the bar at 2.24 and 2.
27 before successfully registering 2.31 meters on his first attempts. However, he was unable to clear the 2.
35-metre mark as he failed after two attempts, before unsuccessfully attempting to clear the bar at 2.38 metres. Home hero Potye secured the silver medal after clearing a commendable height of 2.
29 meters on his second attempt despite coming off from a foot injury. However, he had to withdraw from the competition due to pain after attempting 2.31 meters as he settled for the silver medal behind the Qatari champion.
Meanwhile, the bronze medal was claimed by the 40-year-old Thomas, who cleared 2.27 meters on his first attempt. Both Thomas, the 2007 world champion, and Mexico�.