Hangzhou, China, October 4, 2023: From Asian Games volunteer to Olympic and world champion, Mutaz Barshim of Qatar won his third Asian Games gold medal in the men’s high jump on Wednesday - and then fondly reminisced of his beginnings.
The most decorated track and field athlete in Hangzhou, three-time world champion Barshim was untouchable as he equalled his own Asian Games record of 2.35 metres to take his third Asian Games gold after previous successes in 2010 and 2014.
“When I was young, at the Asian Games in Doha in 2006, I was a volunteer holding the basket for the high jumpers. Then, I dreamed of taking part and winning this event. So winning my third gold medal, coming back from a bad injury, makes me happy and satisfied,” said Barshim.
Korea’s Woo Sang-hyeok took the silver with 2.33 while Japan’s Tomohiro Shinno earned bronze with 2.29. They never came close to challenging Barshim for gold.
“It still feels amazing. In 2010 I won my first gold medal and then followed it up by winning again in 2014. Last time, in 2018, I was really badly injured and the doctor said I couldn’t fly. I was in Germany. To win tonight is extra special,” Barshim added.
Barshim, who shared Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 with Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi in an unforgettable moment of sportsmanship, was in peerless form on the last night of athletics at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
He was in full swagger as he competed. His only true moment of anxiety, and frustration, was when he failed to clear 2.37 metres in a bid to break his own Asian Games record of 2.35m from 2014. He tried three times, and failed every time, and his pent up frustration was clearly evident. But he was back to smiling again, knowing the gold medal was in his grasp.
“It’s like this, we are greedy as athletes, so we always want to do more, more, more. And that’s the nature of it, and I love it, but that’s the reality as well so you need to go and push yourself to the limit,” he explained.
The 32-year-old Barshim, who also holds the Asian record of 2.43m, was born in Doha, Qatar to Sudanese parents, and comes from a sporting family. His dad, Essa Mohammed, competed in race walking and distance running at international level. His younger brother Muamer also represented Qatar in high jump and won the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. Another younger brother, Meshaal, was goalkeeper for Qatar at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
With all this athleticism running in the blood, Barshim, 17 years ago, dreamed of being a champion one day. He has made all those dreams come true, as he showed, once again, as he ruled the Asian Games with aplomb.
