Qatari Eyes High Jump World Record

Published by ZeeNews on September 26, 2014

Mutaz Essa Barshim wants to beat one of athletics oldest world records at the Asian Games, while Zhang Peimeng just wants to drag Asia into the modern 100m world with a sub-10 second time.

A week of track and field at the Incheon Games starts Saturday with a lot at stake.

Qatar`s star high jumper Barshim was a fingertip shy of Cuban Javier Sotomayer`s 21-year-old record of 2.45 metres at the Brussels Diamond League earlier this month, reaching 2.43m.

The 23-year-old said he is now ready to beat his idol`s mark.

"My goal is to beat the world record," a confident Barshim told AFP. "I`m completely ready for the Asian Games.

"I will do my best to make this great achievement and create memories for Asia."

The towering Qatari, whose younger brother is also a high jumper, won gold in at the Guangzhou Asiad four years ago and a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.

Organisers are desperate for a world record from Barshim on Monday as they seek to fill Incheon`s new 62,000-seater athletics stadium.