Qatari Moataz Barshim, three-time high jump world champion, likened the Asian Games to the Olympics, after he missed the final round of the Diamond League to participate in the Asian Games. Hangzhou.
The Qatari Olympic champion won the Olympic gold medal twice in 2010 and 2014, and is determined to add a third title to him during the current tournament held in China.
After making just one jump at a height of 2.19 meters in Monday’s qualifiers, which put him at the forefront of the contenders for the title last Wednesday, the 32-year-old said: “For me, the Asian Games are important. The feelings are strong. They are like the Olympics before the Olympics.”
Regarding his absence from the diamond event in Eugene, USA, the record holder in the high jump added: “Eugene? I am not saying it is not important, but it is a matter of priorities at the moment.”
The Qatari star added: “For me, it was a lot of traveling, and I have become a different jumper now. I have three diamond titles, in addition to a fourth title, which would have been great, but it is not among my top priorities at the moment, so I decided to be absent.”
Barshim is considered one of the most prominent athletes in the history of Qatar, similar to the multi-talented Dakar Rally champion Nasser Al-Attiyah, who is currently shining and crowned in Hangzhou in shooting competitions.
Barshim hopes to return to the first step of the podium, after settling for bronze in the last world championship in Budapest, behind his Italian friend Gianmarco Tampere.
“The stadium was great, the crowd too,” said Barshim, who recorded his best record of 2.43m in 2014. “This is the last competition of the season, and I hope to come out on top,” adding: “Then I will need a good break, a good vacation to recharge my energy before the season opens.” “Olympic.”
His most prominent competitor will be South Korean Woo Sang-hyuk, silver medalist at the 2022 World Championships and winner of the Diamond League award in Eugene, knowing that his best record is 2.35 metres.
