Doha (AFP)

Qatar's Mutaz Barshim retained his World Jumping Championship title on Friday at the World Athletics Championships at home in Doha with a jump to 2 meters 37.

Barshim, operated on an ankle in July 2018, ahead of the Russians Mikhail Akimenko and Ilya Ivanyuk, who competed under neutral banner.

The second-time all-time performer (2.43m), already titled in London two years ago, had not returned to training until last April before returning to the competition at the end of June. Sopot (Poland).

He was close to elimination at 2.33m before masterfully passing the next two bars on his first try.

At the age of 28, he won Qatar his first gold medal, a performance that - finally - provoked jubilation in the Khalifa stadium, very quiet since the start of the competition.

The host country had already won a bronze medal by Abderrahman Samba in the 400m hurdles.

rg-kn-dif / sk

© 2019 AFP