Post: Coach Ali Alfadaaq Highlights Impact of Barshim’s Absence on World Championship High Jump

Tokyo: Coach Ali Mohamed Alfadaaq, the first Qatari champion in the high jump event, stated that the withdrawal of Olympic and world champion Mutaz Barshim from the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo was a major loss for the high jump competition. Barshim's global stardom and unique appeal have elevated the profile of the event worldwide. According to Qatar News Agency, Alfadaaq said the world had been eagerly awaiting Barshim's performance in Tokyo due to his distinctive presence and technique, which have played a significant role in spreading high jump culture and increasing its popularity. However, injury prevented his participation. Alfadaaq noted that the medal-winning performances were relatively ordinary: New Zealand's Hamish Kerr won gold with a jump of 2.36m, South Korea's Woo Sang-hyeok took silver with 2.34m, and Czech athlete Jan Stefela earned bronze with 2.31m. Alfadaaq emphasized that Barshim's presence would have intensified the competition, especially as he holds the second-best ma rk in the history of the event (2.43m) and is the only athlete to win the title three consecutive times across three continents, proof of his dominance. He reiterated that Qatari athletics is rich with talent and that Barshim's success has made high jump a beloved event among track and field athletes in Qatar, boosting its popularity. Coach Ali Alfadaaq was the first Qatari to win colored medals in high jump nearly a quarter-century ago, having claimed the title at the Military World Championships in Beirut in 2001, along with multiple medals in Asian athletics competitions.