Barshim Prepares for Olympics with Victory in Germany

By Sruthi Nair - July 15, 2024

Mutaz Barshim

Mutaz Barshim, Qatar's renowned high jump star, claimed victory at the International High Jump Meeting in Heilbronn, Germany, as he gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Barshim cleared 2.31 meters, matching his season's best performance, reaffirming his position as a top contender for the podium at Stade de France later this month.

The competition featured a strong field of 10 jumpers, including former Commonwealth Games champion Brandon Starc of Australia, veteran world champion Donald Thomas from the Bahamas, and German national champion Tobias Potye, a former European U-20 titleholder.

Barshim executed flawless jumps, clearing heights of 2.24 and 2.27 meters before successfully achieving 2.31 meters on his initial attempts. Despite efforts, he fell short of clearing 2.35 meters after two attempts and then 2.38 meters.

Home favorite Potye secured the silver medal with a jump of 2.29 meters on his second attempt, battling through a foot injury that forced him to withdraw after attempting 2.31 meters, settling for second place behind Barshim.

The bronze medal went to 40-year-old Thomas, who cleared 2.27 meters on his first try. Thomas and Mexico's Edgar Rivera attempted 2.29 meters unsuccessfully, with Rivera finishing fourth after clearing 2.27 meters on his second attempt.

Barshim, known for his record-setting 2.43-meter jump, will next compete in the high jump qualifying round on August 7 ahead of the final on August 10 at Stade de France.

In women's events earlier that Saturday, Australia's Eleanor Patterson, the 2022 world champion, and Great Britain's Morgan Lake both cleared 1.95 meters, while Slovenia's Lia Apostolovski secured third place with a jump of 1.92 meters.

Final Standings – Men's High Jump

1: Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) - 2.31m

2: Tobias Potye (GER) - 2.29m

3: Donald Thomas (BAH) - 2.27m

4: Edgar Rivera (MEX) - 2.27m

5: Joel Bathing (AUS) - 2.24m

6: Daniel Jankovic (HUN) - 2.20m

7: Vadim Kravchuk (UKR) - 2.20m

8: Brian Thanks (RSA) - 2.20m

9: Brandon Starc (AUS) - 2.15m

10: Eric Portillo (MEX) - 2.15m