by Larry Eder
Mutasz Barshim, 2011 WC, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mutasz Barshim, 2012 Olympic Games, photo by PhotoRun.net
Mutasz Barshim continues to amaze. With an ailing back, Barshim cleared 2.15 meters and 2.30 meters on his first attempts. On his third attempt at 2.36 meters, Mutasz Barshim cleared 2.36 meters. The bar was jiggling, but it stayed, and for the need of a strong final attempt, Barshim had his victory.
The high jump is a strange but wonderful event. As in both vertical jumps, one jumps until one misses. Three attempts, oh, those three attempts. We in the crowd watch in anticipation, as our favorite jumper takes his or her mark and proceeds to run, and with one explosive move, change horizontal movement to vertical movement. I still think the high jump is magical.
For Barshim, he is showing that his talents are there, and with some health, he could be one frightening high jumper.
Barshim 236 in fifth jump of the day
BANSKA BYSTRICA (SVK, Feb 6): Qatari olympic medalist Mutaz Essa Barshim confirmed he is the man of the future in the world of high jumping. Despite slight back problems he won the jubilee 20th edition of “Banskobystricka latka” high jump meeting. He jumped at 215 in first and then saved his energy for next jump at 230 and cleared with huge space. Then he waited how the others will jump and after Dmitrik closely did not clear 234 he went straight to 236 and the fifth jump of the evening for him was succesfull. Bar was shaking but he beat himself and his back.
“When I will be healthy I will come back and jump high” he said. Dmitrik had excellent attempts at 234 and was second with clear 232. Third indoor PB for the showman of the day Gianmarco Tamberi who got 230 in first after he saved his life at 223 in third. Excellent jumping also for Kostadinos Baniotis who had nice clearance at 230 and passed 232 to attack his PB 234 and was close. Great jumping also for fifth Jaroslav Baba who went for first time in this year over good 230. It was the first meet of the season with five jumpers over 230. Barshim jumped as first so high as 236 in fifth jump of the competition ever. Full hall with 1000 spectators was satisfied.
