Barshim Wins First-Ever Gravity Challenge Championship

Mutaz Barshim

Qatari champion Mutaz Barshim secured the title of the first-ever Gravity Challenge in high jump, which was held today at the Katara Amphitheatre, with the participation of the world's top 12 athletes of Olympic champions.

Barshim clinched first place with his best jump of the current season (2.31m), thus guaranteeing the gold medal and South Korea's Woo Sang-hyeok came in second at the same height (2.31m), trailing Barshim in attempts. The Korean cleared the height in his third attempt, earning the silver medal, while American JuVaughn Harrison secured third place and the bronze medal with a jump of (2.28m).

President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, Mohammed Issa Al Fadala, expressed his delight at the success of the championship's first edition. Al Fadala stated in press remarks following the award ceremony that hosting the championship at the Roman Amphitheatre for the first time expands the base of athletics, emphasizing the high artistic value of the participation of the world's top champions in the championship, led by Mutaz Barshim.

Al Fadala praised the significant public engagement with high jump champions, also pointing out that Qatar's application of world-class artistic standards in organizing the event has added extra success, demonstrating its capability in organizing sporting events.

He affirmed that Barshim's victory in the championship will provide him with a significant morale boost in his preparations for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, adding that the Qatari champion always aims for success, which has been evident throughout his distinguished career spanning over a decade.

Meanwhile, Khalifa Abdulmalik, the tournament's director, considered holding the competitions at the Roman Amphitheatre a qualitative leap for the culture of athletics, shifting from the field to cultural landmarks. He emphasized that the competition supports the spread of the game's base, praising the performance of Qatari champion Barshim as a global star in the competition.

Barshim expressed great happiness at winning the title of the first edition of the Gravity Challenge Championship. In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Barshim said that the source of his happiness is the success of the championship being held for the first time outside the field and the track, alongside achieving the first place.

He added that organizing the championship at the Roman Amphitheatre for the first time represents additional public success for high jump sports amid intense athletic competition at a high level. He also highlighted the significant artistic success of the championship, especially with the world champions competing for the gold medal and top three spots.

Barshim considered winning first place in the championship a significant morale boost for him ahead of participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics, emphasizing that setting a new season record (2.31m) represents a significant step in his preparations to defend the Olympic gold medal he achieved in Tokyo in 2020.

On the other hand, American JuVaughn Harrison,, who won the bronze medal, affirmed the great value that Mutaz Barshim holds in high jump, praising Barshim's professional mentality as one of the top athletes in the history of high jump.

(QNA)