The three-time high jump world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim canceled his start at the World Athletics World Cup in Tokyo, which started on Saturday.
The 34 -year -old Katar has been laboratory at a foot injury since April and missed almost the entire summer season. “I tried everything, but nothing can be forced against nature. I have to be patient to get fit again“Barshim wrote on social media:”You shouldn’t be sorry for me, you should be sorry for the high jump.“
Shared Olympic gold with tamberi
Barshim, with 2.43 m number two of the “eternal” leaderboard, had won World Cup gold in 2017, 2019 and 2022. In Tokyo at the 2021 Olympic Games, he made one of the most touching stories in athletics history when he decided against a jump-in for the Olympic victory and gold together with his buddy Gianmarco Tamberi.
The Italian Tamberi is part of the World Cup, but after many injury problems is not one of the favorites.