The eyes of global track and field fans will be on the Katara Amphitheatre on Thursday when it hosts the world’s best high jumpers for the inaugural ‘What Gravity Challenge.’

A brainchild of Qatar’s reigning three-time world champion and 2020 Olympic gold medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim, the meet will be held a day ahead of the Doha Diamond League.

The unique event, which will feature 12 leading high jumpers, will kick off at 5.40pm.

Barshim, the second-highest jumper in history (2.43M), will face off against Italian Gianmarco Tamberi, with whom he shared Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, and Ukrainian Bohdan Bondarenko.

New Zealand’s reigning World Indoor champion Hamish Kerr, USA’s Juvaughn Harrison, South Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo, Puerto Rico’s Central American champion Luis Castro and German Tobias Potye will all compete in the event, which promises to be ‘gravity-defying.’

Australia’s Brandon Starc, Japan’s Naoto Tobe, Ukraine’s Andri Protsenko and China’s Zhen Wang will also be seen in action.

Barshim said the idea had been with him for a long time, but was made possible only by the unwavering support of Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani.

“The tournament was an idea on paper, but it became a reality thanks to the support Sheikh Joaan. What Gravity Challenge is a legacy I’m proud to present in the name of my country Qatar,” Mutaz had said while announcing the project in February.

The historic event, organised with the support of the Qatar Athletics Federation, will offer a handsome prize pool of $77,000 for the winners. A unique trophy, crafted by Qatari artist Ahmed Al Bahrani, will also be awarded to the top jumper.

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