Qatar’s popular athlete Mutaz Barshim feels 2018 could be the year when he gets to create a new world mark in high jump.
No athlete has bettered the high jump mark of 2.45m set by Cuba’s Javier Sotomayor in 1993.
“The world record is definitely on my mind. Next summer is a good chance to really focus on it,” Barshim told The Peninsula in a candid chat.
“We don’t have the World Championships or the Olympic Games next year,” the 26-year-old added.
Last month, Barshim won the world title in London. In August 2016, he won the silver at the Rio Olympic Games. In 2014, Barshim grabbed the gold at the World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland.
Barshim responds to a Q&A session with The Peninsula:
Q: You are the world champion, Olympic medallist and the world indoor champion. What’s next for you?
A: I am always looking for new challenges. I take it season-by-season. This season is history now. It has come to a close for me. Now I have to look at 2018 - I have to see what’s coming next year. We have the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham (in March 2018). Then the Diamond League Circuit followed by the Asian Games in mid-August next year. So definitely I want to double the number of medals I have won. I have two Asian Games medals. I want to go for the third one in Indonesia next year. I want my fourth Diamond trophy. I always want to motivate myself looking at the big events. I want to achieve more and I don’t want to be satisfied with what I have done so far. I don’t want to say “I have achieved so much.” I will look what all I have done only after I finish my career.
Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim in action in men’s high jump final at World Athletics Championships, London Stadium, August 13, 2017 (Reuters/Phil Noble)
Q: Obviously you are looking at the world mark set by Javier Sotomayor?
A: Of course. That’s what I am telling you. The world record is definitely on my mind. Next summer is a good chance to really focus on it. We don’t have the world championships or the Olympic Games next year. Last two years, the World Championships and the Olympics were there. So you don’t want to peak early. You want to hold yourself. Next summer I have nothing to lose. I am going as high as possible.
Q: So 2018 could be the year when you nail the record?
A: I really hope so. I really do.
Q: 2018 and 2019 are important years for you since we have the next World Championships to be held in Doha.
A: Exactly. I have the 2018 World Indoors to look at and then get ready for the Doha World Championships in 2019. First of all, I am glad to have it on my home soil. Not many athletes get to experience competing at a world championships in their countries. I am really happy about that. Yes, I have to deliver. I think gold won’t be enough (smiles). I will have to go for a record (smiles). I have to make sure that we are ready for that by staying injury-free and healthy all the way. I know everybody around will be supporting. I know my mother is looking forward to it. My coaching staff, my fans and the media in Doha that have always supported me. You (the media) are my friends. That’s what I am saying. My family is everything for me. My parents, my siblings - they always support me and pray for me. They are the ones who have urged me to go for my dreams from the very beginning.
Qatar Olympic Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, world champion high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, former Asian sprint champion Talal Mansour, javelin thrower Ahmed Bedeir, world 400m bronze medallist Abdulelah Haroun, hurdler Abdulrahman Samba and Qatar Athletics Federation board member Khalid Al Marri cut a cake during a felicitation ceremony held earlier this month to mark Qatar’s recent success on the international stage.
Q: When you won the world title last month, we believe the Emir called you. Is it true?
A: Oh yes, the Emir called me twice. I thought he has been so busy the last few months and perhaps he may not call. But the Emir took time and called me twice. The Emir said “keep going”. He showed the greatest of support for me. I appreciate the Emir’s support so much. When you have that kind of support, nothing else matters.
Q: If we go back 10 years, are you surprised what you have achieved in such a short period of time?
A: Of course, this was always my dream to go big. I wanted to jump high. I wanted to be at the Diamond League. I wanted to go and compete against the big guys. I wanted to be there making the headlines and I am there now. It is a dream come true to be on the podiums. Some 10 years ago, I wanted to be at the Olympics so bad and here I am. Now I have two Olympic medals.
Q: Is it getting tougher for you since athletes now chase you at top competitions?
A: It does get tougher. Whenever you achieve a high mark, people talk about you and your performance. If I jump 2.46, people will say ‘what’s more in store?’. There’s always ‘what’s next?’. There’s always pressure but I really can handle it. I have a great team. My coach, my manager, the Qatar Olympic Committee, the Qatar Athletics Federation people. They have the experience. I have the support one wishes for. I listen to them and they are showing me the way. If you are an experienced athlete, then you don’t have to worry about stress during a competition.
Q: During our last chat, you casually mentioned that your training diet is so boring. Is it the same still?
A: For me, it is like this. I look at the scales. As long as my weight is fine, I am okay. I don’t like people controlling me. I don’t like people telling me what I should eat or what I shouldn’t eat. I eat whatever I like as long as I don’t put on weight. I know how to structure my diet. I know how much of carbs I can take and how much sweet should be in my diet. To be honest, there was no stress as I am fairly experienced now. I train hard. I know my competitors well. It is because of experience that I have reached this point in my career.
