Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim reacts during the high jump competition in this March 1, 2018 file photo taken in Arena Birmingham, Birmingham, Britain. Barshim is out of the season after injuring his ankle last week.
DOHA: Qatar’s track and field star Mutaz Barshim has been advised rest for at least three months following an ankle injury sustained a week ago.
The lengthy lay-off means Barshim will miss the remainder of the season that included his participation at the Asian Games in Indonesia next month.
Barshim, 27, suffered an ankle sprain injury which led to damaged ligaments in Hungary on July 2.
The injury requires surgery to repair the damage, the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) said in a statement yesterday.
The statement added that the doctors said Barshim - who won gold at the World Athletics Championships in London last year - will need at least three to four months to stage a full recovery.
The Qatari high jump star won a silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and a bronze at the London Games in 2012.
“I’m not anxious. I received positive news from my doctors and the most important thing for me is to recover from injury and be fit 100 percent so that I can jump again,” Barshim was quoted as saying in the QAF statement released yesterday.
“Of course my target next year is to participate in the IAAF 2019 World Championships to be held in Doha,” the Olympic champion added.
QAF President Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari wished the high jumper a speedy recovery.
“Injury is integral part of sport. We believe in fate but hope that Barshim will recover quickly and we ask God to help him to come back to active competitions soon,” Dr Al Kawari said.
“Mutaz is of a strong character. He is in high spirits and very determined to come back,” Dr Al Kuwari added in the statement.
“Despite this severe injury - which will prevent him to compete again this season - we are confident that he will recover and come back stronger,” the QAF President said. “Mutaz has achieved a lot for Qatar in athletics. He is a heavyweight in high jump. All Qatari fans love and support him,” he added.
Barshim was a hot favourite to cling the gold medal at the Asian Games next month but that opportunity is gone now with the Qatari star set to begin his recovery period.
