Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim Withdraws from World Athletics Championships with Foot Injury

Mutaz Barshim, Qatar's three-time world high jump champion and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, has withdrawn from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo due to a persistent foot injury that has hindered his preparation since April. Despite traveling with the national team and making efforts to compete, medical advice prioritized his recovery to avoid worsening the injury. Barshim expressed disappointment over missing what he had planned to be his last world championship, stating he had given his all but must remain patient to heal. He is the second highest jumper ever, with a personal best of 2.43 meters, and has won gold at the world championships in 2017, 2019, and 2022, along with a bronze at the 2023 Paris Olympics. The Qatar Athletics Federation regretted his withdrawal but remains optimistic about the country's medal prospects at the event running from September 13 to 21. Barshim’s absence is a significant loss for Qatar, but he looks forward to returning stronger in future competitions.