Oumar Abakar, trained by Aspire Academy, is set to represent Qatar at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in March 2024. He qualified by breaking the national record in the 60m hurdles at 7.67 seconds. Abakar’s journey includes moving up to senior competitions from under-20 events while receiving guidance from his coach, Lee Christopher, in preparation for the upcoming worlds in Nanjing, China.
Aspire Academy-trained athlete Oumar Abakar is set to represent Qatar at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, China, beginning on March 21. His qualification for this event underscores the fruitful partnership between Aspire Academy and the Qatar Athletics Federation aimed at nurturing elite athletes. Abakar will compete exclusively for Qatar in the 60m hurdles, having set a national record of 7.67 seconds during the Aarhus Sprint ‘n’ Jump event, surpassing the previous record of 7.78 seconds held by fellow Aspire Academy alumnus, Saeed Saeed al-Absi.
Following his competitions in Europe, Abakar and his coach, Lee Christopher, have been training in South Africa to prepare for their journey to China. His participation in the Aarhus event was key in transitioning from under-20 races to senior-level competitions. Abakar’s previous season was notable for setting the sixth-fastest time in 2024 for the outdoor 110m hurdles for his age group and finishing fourth at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Peru.
The transition to senior events entails competing against more seasoned athletes and running over higher hurdles, increasing from 99cm to 106.7cm. Oumar believes he has adapted to these changes well, stating, “The level of the hurdles hasn’t been too hard because I’m tall and so personally it doesn’t matter too much to move from junior to senior.”
He reflected on his European races, which involved larger crowds and the challenge of competing twice in a single day. Oumar noted, “It’s not easy to be honest, to travel from country to country (in a short space of time), so this is hard for me. But racing with the big guy… that was exciting.” He aims to maintain his performance into the outdoor season and dreams of qualifying for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
Coach Lee Christopher, who collaborates with the Qatar Athletics Federation, will accompany Abakar to China. He expressed confidence in the young athlete’s abilities, remarking on his positive adjustment to senior competition and the benefits of his indoor experiences. Christopher stated, “He is coping well with the step up to the senior men’s event. Going on his first European indoor tour and racing indoors properly was fantastic.”
Abakar’s recent competitions, including victories against Olympians and an impressive performance in Poland, highlight his growth as an athlete. “The change in height of the barriers is an interesting step up for anyone, but the reality is he is now running similar times to the ones he was over the smaller hurdles,” noted Christopher. Both Abakar and Christopher believe the upcoming championships will serve as vital experience toward their ultimate goal of success in the Tokyo Outdoor World Championships.
Oumar Abakar’s preparation for the World Indoor Athletics Championships reflects both his individual achievements and the joint efforts of Aspire Academy and the Qatar Athletics Federation. As Qatar’s sole representative, he carries the hopes of his nation while transitioning to senior level competitions. His dedication and resilience, coupled with the support of his coach, underscore a promising future in athletics, particularly as they aim for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.
Original Source: www.gulf-times.com
