Qatari high jumper who holds the world record of 2.43m and won Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020, sharing the title in a historic moment of sportsmanship.
Mutaz Essa Barshim was born in Qatar in 1991. He is the only athlete to win three consecutive World Championship medals in the high jump. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics both he and Italian Gianmarco Tamberi had cleared 2.37m without a miss. The official asked if they wanted a jump-off to decide gold and silver. Barshim asked 'Can we have two golds?' — and they were allowed to share the gold medal. Their subsequent embrace became the defining moment of the Tokyo Games — the most celebrated individual act of sportsmanship in Olympic history. He holds the world record with Javier Sotomayor at 2.45m.
High jump world record holder and Olympic champion
How They Played
Explosive takeoff with exceptional technique and mental strength
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest high jumpers in history, known for sharing Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold High Jump (Tokyo 2020 — shared)
- World Champion 2x
- World Record co-holder