Mutaz Barshim, photo by PhotoRun.net
Barshim is AOY by TFN
MOUNTIAN VIEW (USA): Qatari High Jump World champion Mutaz Essa Barshim is also Track and Field News Athlete of the Year after beeing awarded the same title by the IAAF. But it was not that clear, no fewer than nine men received No. 1 votes. Barshim got 330 points over Sam Kendricks 307. Third Luvo Manyonga with 232 edged his team-mate Wayde van Niekerk to fourth 197. Fifth Christian Taylor 162 just one point ahead of Pawel Fajdke 161 and 7 ahead of Mo Farah 155. Eliud Kipchoge is 8th (138), Omar McLeod 9th (129) and Johannes Vetter as 10th got 95 points. The winner Mutaz Barshim is currently in Malmo for training and preparation for the indoor season with the aim to succeed in Birmingham at World Indoors.