Three-time high jump world champion Mutaz Barshim has his eyes set on clinching a fourth straight gold medal when the 2023 World Athletics Championship kicks off in Budapest, Hungary, this Saturday.
The 32-year-old Qatari, who holds the record for the second-highest jump ever with a personal best of 2.43m he recorded in Brussels in 2014, said he is “ready to fight” for his title once again, having won it in 2017, 2019, and last year in Eugene, Oregon.
“To be honest, I think I’m in a good place at the moment, ready to fight,” he said. “Of course, the season was a little bit up and down, not so many competitions.
Barshim, who has had to tread carefully in recent times following a severe back problem and a niggling ankle injury that has threatened his career, will be hoping to add to a long list of honors that also include the Olympic Gold medal, which he shared at the Tokyo Games with Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi.
“I’ve been struggling with some minor stuff, but I mean, I’m here and I always look forward, he added. “I leave what’s behind, behind, and I look forward to compete. So I’m here. I’m ready to fight so yeah, that’s all.”
“Obviously, the season was up and down, I didn’t participate in many competitions, I’m now in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
“I’m happy with my preparations a few days before the Championships. What’s in the past is in the past, I’m focusing on the future.”
The 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships will begin on Saturday, August 19 until Sunday, August 27.
YOU CAN CATCH ALL THE ACTION FROM THE WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE HERE ON AFROSPORT FREE TV CHANNEL 730 OR STREAM ON VIDIVU FROM THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 19.
