The Golden Leap
To win another world Champion

Not only was Barshim lacking in competitive action coming into the championships, due to the injury and subsequent recovery, but he was also facing pressure from the expectant home crowd.
The championships had been criticized for a lack of crowds, but when Barshim showed up there was barely a spare seat in the house and the atmosphere ramped up significantly.

Somehow, Barshim was able to find his best form at just the right time, sailing over his opening four heights first time to put him in the lead with a season’s best 2.30m. Then, a clearance of 2.37m was enough to take the gold medal, ahead of Mikhail Akimenko and Ilya Ivanyuk, both of Russia.

“I wasn’t 100 percent ready, but with all these people cheering for me like this, I just forgot everything,” a delighted Barshim admitted after landing back-to-back World Championship golds.