DOHA, Qatar (March 30) – Mutaz Barshim and Abderrahman Samba, two of Qatar’s most prominent athletes, will start their 2023 Wanda Diamond League season on home soil. The duo will participate in the season opener in Doha, showcasing their remarkable abilities and athleticism.
Barshim, who won his third world high jump title in Oregon last year, is looking to add another feather to his cap. He also clinched the joint Olympic crown he shared with Gianmarco Tamberi in Tokyo. In 2014, he made history by setting the Asian high jump record of 2.43m, becoming the second-best athlete in the world of all time.
READ MORE: The Best of the Best: Stars set to clash in women’s Pole Vault at Doha Diamond League Meet 2023
“I have been on top of my game for the past decade, but I still strive for more,” said Barshim. “The 2023 season is about to begin, and I have set my own goals and targets to chase. The World Championships in Budapest and the Asian Games in China are my top priorities for the season.
“My training in Qatar went smoothly over the winter, and I look forward to my Wanda Diamond League season opener in Doha.”
Samba, a world bronze medalist in the 400m hurdles, will also participate in the event. In 2018, he set his own record of 46.98 in the Asian 400m hurdles, placing him fifth on the world all-time list. He missed the Doha event in May 2022 due to an injury but looks forward to a comeback in the 2023 season.
“The Doha Meeting will be my first major competition since Tokyo 2021 and will provide a good starting point as I build towards the World Championships this summer,” Samba stated.
“I was disappointed to miss out on the World Championships, but I’ve had a consistent block of training, and I’m healthy and ready to race. The 400m hurdles is one of the most exciting events on the program right now, and I want to be back in the mix.”
The 2023 Wanda Diamond League calendar features 14 meetings, starting with the Doha event and culminating in the two-day final in Eugene on September 16-17.
Both athletes hope to make their mark and set their own records for the season, prioritizing their health and consistency in their routines.
