The Wanda Diamond League meeting in Doha will see a clash of the titans in the men's high jump as reigning Olympic champion Hamish Kerr takes on home hero and three-time Diamond League champion Mutaz Essa Barshim at the Qatar Sports Club on May 16.
Barshim and Kerr both made the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with the Qatari veteran claiming bronze and Kerr beating Shelby McEwen in a dramatic jump-off for the gold medal.
Kerr's triumph came after a dominant run in the Diamond League in the build-up to the Games. The New Zealand star claimed three victories in Suzhou, Monaco and London, clearing the 2.30m in each of them.
He will be out to emulate that form in 2025, as he eyes a first ever Diamond League title ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this season.
“Things are building nicely for the year ahead and I’m excited to open my Diamond League season in Doha,” said Kerr, who won his ninth national title with victory at the New Zealand Championships in March. “My confidence has grown a lot over the last 12 months and it’s an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to jump against such high-quality athletes. It’s a big summer, and of course my focus is on Tokyo, but in order to grow and learn more about yourself, it’s important to put yourself out there and compete against the best.”
Barshim has long been a legend of the sport, and has won almost everything there is to win over the past decade. A three-time world and Diamond League champion, he also has five Olympic medals, including the gold he shared with his friend and rival Gianmarco Tamberi at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
As he prepares to return to Tokyo for the World Championships four years later, the Qatari star will be hoping to add to his astonishing tally of 23 Diamond League victories.
“High jump is my passion, and although I’ve made history, I still strive for more,” said the Qatar national record holder who has a best of 2.43m, the second highest jump of all time. “After the Paris Olympic Games, I made the decision not to compete this indoor season. I’ve been in this sport a while now and I have to make sensible decisions. The World Championships in Tokyo is my main goal for the year and to perform at my best, I need to prioritise my competitions ahead of then. The ‘What Gravity Challenge’ and the Diamond League meeting in Doha will be my first two events of the year and I’m looking forward to opening up my season in front of a home support, it means a lot to me to be able to do that.”
The Wanda Diamond League is the elite one-day meeting series in global athletics. It comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field. Athletes compete for points at the 14 series meetings in a bid to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final, which will be held in Zurich on 27 and 28 August 2025.
