Injury ends season for Qatar world champ Barshim

World champion high jumper Mutaz Barshim has been ruled out for the rest of the season because of an ankle injury, the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) announced yesterday. In a statement, the QAF said Barshim, who won gold at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, damaged ankle ligaments in Hungary earlier this month.He injured himself while trying to set a new world record height of 2.46 metres, after clearing a 2018 world-leading 2.40m, said the statement. Barshim, 27, said, there would be no long-term damage and he will need three to four months to return to fitness. “I am not worried and have got positive feedback from my doctors,” he said in the statement.He added that he wanted to make sure he was fully fit before returning to ensure he will be ready to defend his world champion crown next year in Doha. “My biggest goal next year is, of course, the World Championships in my home country, Qatar. Most important for me is to recover well and to make sure I will be 100% ready to jump again, I don’t need to rush or stress,” said Barshim.The tournament will take place in September and October next year in the Qatari capital, the first time it has been held in the Middle East. Barshim also won silver at the Rio Olympics.QAF President Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari conveyed his best wishes for Barshim and hoped that the Qatari champion will recover from injury as quickly as possible. “Injury is integral part of sports. We hope that Barshim will recover quickly and we ask God to help him to coming back to the competitions,” said Dr al-Kuwari. “Barshim is a strong character, who has high level of determination. We are confident that he will recover  and come back more stronger,” he added.