Olympic High Jump Stars to Clash in Suzhou Diamond League

Barshim and Kerr Set for Epic Showdown

Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim will take on world indoor champion Hamish Kerr in a high jump showdown at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Suzhou, China, on April 27th. The global gold medalists will go head-to-head in the second event of the prestigious Diamond League season.

New Zealand’s Kerr is currently the world leader, having cleared an impressive 2.36m to claim his maiden global title at the recent World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. The Oceanian record-holder will be eager to carry that momentum into the Suzhou meeting and challenge Barshim’s dominance.

Qatar’s three-time world champion Barshim has prioritized his training in preparation for the defense of his Olympic title later this year. The 32-year-old has not competed since winning his third Asian Games gold medal in October and skipped the indoor championships where Kerr emerged victorious.

“I’m happy to be back in China to start my new season,” said Barshim. “Last year, I finished my season in China at the Asian Games, and it was a fantastic atmosphere and support. I have never been to Suzhou, but I am looking forward to visiting and competing there, and to a great competition.”

The Suzhou event will be a crucial indicator of Barshim’s form as he aims to become the first man to ever win two Olympic high jump titles. No athlete has claimed more world outdoor titles than Barshim’s three in a row between 2017 and 2022, and he also earned bronze at the most recent World Championships in Budapest.

Kerr, who is quickly building an impressive resume of his own, will be aiming to close the gap on Barshim’s Diamond League dominance. The 27-year-old backed up his World Indoor bronze with Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 and kicked off the 2023 season with a Diamond League victory in Stockholm.

“I’m looking forward to making my first-ever trip to China a successful one,” said Kerr. “After jumping 2.36m at World Indoors, I know I am in great shape leading into the meeting. I can’t wait to compete against some of the other best jumpers in the world, in front of what will be an amazing crowd.”

The high jump clash in Suzhou will feature alongside the previously announced appearance of world pole vault record-holder Mondo Duplantis, who is also set to compete in the opening Diamond League meeting in Xiamen on April 20th.

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