Glory for Qatar as Barshim bags Olympic bronze

Vinay Nayudu

Doha

Legendary Qatari athlete Mutaz Essa Barshim brought glory to his nation with yet another medal at the Olympics, leaping to his season’s best of 2.34m in the high jump final at Stade de France on Saturday, to claim the men’s high jump bronze. It was the 33-year-old’s unprecedented fourth medal at successive Olympics since 2012.

It was a memorable Olympic swansong for Barshim, clearly Qatar’s greatest athlete who earlier won gold at Tokyo 2020 and silver at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

In high jump he has been the second-most decorated athlete behind the world record holder Cuban Javier Sotomayor.

Hamish Kerr of New Zealand beat American Shelby McEwan in a jump-off to give New Zealand a first ever Olympic high jump gold.