Champion Barshim triumphs

Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim celebrates after winning the men's high jump. [REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari]

World champion Mutaz Barshim, undefeated last season, cleared 2.40m in Doha on Friday to set himself up nicely for another assault on the long-standing world record of 2.45m set by Cuba’s Javier Sotomayor in 1993.

Barshim’s win was preceded by Saudi-born teammate Abderrahman Samba’s stunning victory in the 400m hurdles in 47.57sec, a Personal Best that was also an Asian and Diamond League record. “Winning at home is an amazing feeling, especially to break all those records,” Samba said, warning: “I have a feeling this will be a great season for me.”