Confetti galore, rapid strides on the stomping ground clinching landslides victories. These make up just about any victor’s rite of passage at track events. At the ongoing 2024 Xiamen Diamond League, the athletes are getting a taste of what the six-month-long league will offer. The American athletes are on par with the expectations set for the competition, but one particular athlete from Qatar put up a decent show. Mutaz Barshim, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion, meant to keep his winning streak alive. But could he?

The second-highest jumper in history and the former World Champion collected medals after medals in World Championships and Olympics alike. The 32-year-old’s unique way to jump using the Fosbury Flop technique landed him laurels. But one of the major outdoor championships of 2024 saw him accept defeat to a 28-year-old who doesn’t boast of many medals.

 Xiamen Diamond League wasn’t a golden event for Barshim

The X post of Wanda Diamond League reads, “A first ever #DiamondLeague win for @ShelbySm5! The high jumper beats @mutazbarshim on countback after clearing 2.27m in difficult conditions“. Shelby McEwen, the star high jumper from the US, left an indelible mark in Glasgow at the 2024 World Indoor Championships. Unlike Barshim, this man was determined to maintain his winning streak, thus leaving the Olympic champion trailing behind.

The 28-year-old American finished third at the 2020 US Olympic Trials but failed to make it to the podium at the finals. But this time, the 12th Tokyo finisher will probably give it another shot at the Olympics. But now, eventfully at the French capital. Shifting our attention to the Qatari, the resume looks impressive enough to secure him a position in fans’ hearts. Here’s a look at whom McEwen will expectantly face moving forward.

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Mutaz Barshim’s medal count divulged

Barshim walked home with silvers from both the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics. At the 2020 Tokyo extravaganza, one of his major career highlights, he secured the gold podium. At the World Championships, starting from 2011, the Olympian bagged medals of all colors. Even at the 2023 World Championships, he stood with the bronze. At the Asian Indoor Championships, Barshim never settled for anything but gold.

But a unique feat happened at the Tokyo event when he shared his gold with Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi. This rare instance in history occurred because of Barshim, who had asked the referee, “Can we have two golds?”. Alongside younger counterpart McEwen, Barshim will give his all for his Paris outing this year. But only time will tell whether the former will repeat this feat or accept defeat from the great.