Sotomayor, Barshim and the Cuban Ambassador to Qatar

Havana, May 10 (RHC) - Cuban Javier Sotomayor, the best high jumper in history, revealed that he was nostalgic for the old days during the exclusive meeting organized in Qatar with the presence of today's best jumpers and some legends of the test.

"I wanted to jump again. I missed my good times," said the world record holder (2.45m) when referring to the exclusive high jump meeting "Defying Gravity", which he attended as a luxury guest.

The event brought together 12 of the best specialists of the moment, including the Qatari Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim, and legends such as del Soto and the Swede Patrick Sjoeberg, great rivals in the past.

Sotomayor praised the excellent conditions for the development of the test, a fact corroborated by all the contestants.

"All the jumpers and guests agreed that it has been one of the best organized high jump competitions, with excellent conditions of all kinds," said the also Olympic champion and Prince of Asturias in Sports awardee.

However, no great records were achieved in the test and the victory went to the local Barshim, who pleased his fans by taking the victory with 2.31, identical result to the second placed, the South Korean Woo. Third was the American Harrison (2.29).

In some of the images released from the headquarters, the Cuban sports idol can be seen happy alongside figures such as Sjoeberg, Barshim and Woo, and the Cuban ambassador to Qatar, Alain Pérez.

After her untouchable record of 2.45 in Salamanca (Spain) turned 30 last year, Sotomayor has received important recognitions such as the "Leyenda de Panam Sports" (Miami) and "Leyenda de Mundo Deportivo" (Barcelona) awards, both in 2023, and has been a guest of honor at several internationally renowned rallies.