Mutaz Essa Barshim is in the form of his life at the moment, producing the sort of display that saw him win his first world title as he jumped a World Lead (WL) and Meeting Record (MR) of 2.40m to win the men’s High Jump at Birmingham Diamond League.
The Qatar athlete had earlier jumped 2.38m this season in Oslo, but at the World Championships in London, he won with a mark of 2.35m and didn’t look like he would be challenging for the 2.40m height this season.
However with world bronze medallist, Syria’s Majd Eddin Ghazal providing him with stiff competition having led at some point with 2.31m, Barshim found the incentive to aim higher on the day, twice failing at 2.31m before getting his 3rd attempt and going on to dominate.
Ghazal who was very good as well, settled for 2nd place with his best back of 2.31m, failing his first attempt at 2.35m and passing on the remaining two while Tom Gale finished 3rd with 2.24m
Meanwhile in the women’s Triple Jump, Caterin Ibarguen got back to winning ways as she jumped a mark of 14.51m to take the win. Kimberley Williams finished 2nd with 14.44m while Olga Rypakova was 3rd with 14.29m. Surprisingly, newly crowned world champion Yulimar Rojas finished 7th with 13.94m
In the men’s Shot Put, Tom Walsh consolidated on his world title triumph, taking the victory with a throw of 21.83m. Olympic champion Ryan Crouser finished 2nd with 21.55m while Tomas Stanek was 3rd with 21.16m.
After attempting the MR of 4.88m and missing all three, Katerina Stefanidi settled for the women’s Pole Vault win with her best mark of 4.75m. Holly Bradshaw was 2nd with 4.61m, same height as Michaela Meijer who finished 3rd.
While in the women’s Discus, Sandra Perkovic’s 4th throw of 67.52m was enough to secure her victory over Denia Caballero who finished 2nd with 65.24m and Yaimi Perez 3rd with 65.11m
