Spikes24 Sep 2015


Do Your Zhang

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Guowei Zhang celebrates in Beijing

Chinese record holder, world championship silver medallist and probably the best celebrations on the circuit: this is Zhang Guowei's 2015 in moving images. Enjoy!

The Weeping Conductor

After setting an early world lead of 2.35m in Walnut, CA, in April, Zhang Guowei took his first major victory of the year in front of a home crowd at the IAAF World Challenge meet in Beijing. He won the competition with 2.34m and gave us a taste of the moves to follow over the coming months.

The Running Swan

At the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in May, Mutaz Essa Barshim cleared 2.41m, making him the only man to break 2.40m this season.

Second place Zhang still had reason to celebrate, jumping a personal best of 2.38m. Had he entered the 200m, he may have been within reach of a top place finish with this masterclass in running the curve.

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

With the bar at 2.33m, the competition at Oslo's Bislett Games was still wide open. Three men cleared with their first attempts. Zhang joined them with his second jump and was one happy guy.

Hips Don't Lie

As the bar went up, five guys challenged at 2.36m, but only Zhang cleared, clinching his first ever Diamond League victory. You'd be dancing, too.

The Praying Mantis

After enjoying a stellar season, the pressure was on Zhang to perform at the world champs in Beijing's Birds Nest. It was a gripping spectacle that went down to a three-way jump-off for the medals.

Canada's Derek Drouin took gold, but thanks to his super cool attitude, Zhang tied second with Bogdan Bondarenko to earn silver (although there seems to have been a mix-up with the medals). Guess that means it's praying mantis time.

Drop It Like It's Hot

Coming straight from the world champs and competing with six hours time difference isn't exactly everyone's cup of tea. But at the Zurich Diamond League final, Zhang took it in his stride, finished third and treated us to this special performance after his 2.32m clearance. We have no words.

Take. A. Bow.

Just like he did after clearing 2.32m for third at the Shanghai Diamond League.